How do you replace one Olympian?
With another one, if you are Utah Gymnastics.
The Utes are set to sign Great Britain’s Amelie Morgan, who helped her team to the bronze medal in the Tokyo Olympics. It was the team’s first gymnastics medal since 1928, when Great Britain also won the bronze.
A slot opened for Morgan when MyKayla Skinner, who is competing in Tokyo as an individual, announced she wouldn’t use her final year of eligibility with the Utes.
On Wednesday, Morgan was pictured with future Ute and U.S. team member Grace McCallum on her club’s Instagram flashing the “U,” sign, noting the duo are “Two future Red Rocks excelling on the biggest stage.”
Morgan’s presence will go a long way in adding depth to the Utah squad, which also welcomes Kara Eaker, an alternate to the U.S. Olympic team. Morgan will be particularly valuable on the uneven bars, where the Utes struggled with a lack of depth last season.
She is a seasoned veteran, having won five medals at the 2018 European Junior Championships to become the most decorated British female gymnast in the history of the event. She finished fourth in the all-around at the 2021 European Championships and won the bronze medal on the uneven bars.
Per NCAA rules, Utah coach Tom Farden cannot comment on recruits until they sign.
Morgan recently was featured on “Gym Stars,” a series that aired on a British children’s TV channel that followed several gymnasts as they prepared for the Tokyo Olympics.
