Olivia Dunne’s presence in Salt Lake Metropolis ignited a “disturbing” and “creepy” scene at her school’s season-opening meet on Saturday (AEDT).
Dunne, who is without doubt one of the highest-paid school athletes in America, with tens of millions of followers on social media, was greeted by keen followers on the Jon M. Huntsman Heart.
A crowd of screaming teenage males stayed after Utah defeated Dunne’s LSU to witness the social media sensation exit the venue, the New York Submit studies.
Former Olympic gymnast Samantha Peszek, who presently works as a Los Angeles-based broadcaster, shared a video of the group demanding Dunne’s whereabouts as individuals left the gymnastics meet.
“That is really so scary and disturbing and cringey. I’m embarrassed for them,,” Peszek wrote on the clip, which was initially shared on her TikTok account.
“Give us Livvy,” one particular person may be heard yelling after a “Livvy” chant broke out. “We wish Livvy,” others screamed.
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Former gymnast Kathy Johnson Clarke, who presently works as a commentator for the SEC Community, replied to Peszek’s tweet, writing, “I used to be strolling out simply behind you, Sam, and so they have been screaming to me, ‘Are you Livvy’s mother? Are you Livvy’s mother?’ Very disturbing. Creepy, really.”
In a separate tweet responding to somebody that stated the followers ready for Dunne didn’t even attend the meet, Clarke wrote: “I do know they weren’t Utah or gymnastics followers.
“A lot of them have been within the enviornment, although, and didn’t know learn how to conduct themselves. They’re younger and obtained carried away.
“Hopefully, they’ll do as Livvy has requested now and be respectful of all of the gymnasts in the event that they attend a meet.”
Josh Furlong of KSL Sports activities additionally tweeted, “LSU needed to transfer its workforce bus so that they didn’t need to run into the group of boys. There have been cops stationed in entrance to keep away from them getting in.”
Dunne was seen snapping selfies with followers that remained within the stands on the Huntsman Heart after the meet.
Some followers held indicators begging Dunne for a photograph and a follow-back on social media.
“My New Yr’s decision is to get a pic with Livvy,” one signal learn, whereas one other included a “birthday wishlist” of three issues: “1. Get a pic with Livvy. 2. Have Livvy in my BeReal. 3. Get a comply with again.”
There was additionally a cardboard cut-out within the stands of Dunne from the 2022 ESPY Awards.
Following the LSU-Utah meet, Dunne — who reportedly was not within the line-up on Saturday — took to Twitter to deal with the behaviour from followers.
“I’ll all the time recognize and love the assist from you guys, however in the event you come to a meet, I need to ask you to please be respectful of the opposite gymnasts and the gymnastics group as we’re simply doing our job,” Dunne tweeted.
Dunne — who has over 9 million followers between her Instagram and TikTok platforms — ranks on the high of On3 Sports activities’ listing of feminine school moneymakers, which estimated her worth at $2.3 million in October.
The Hillsdale, N.J., native turned a millionaire on the age of 18 with assist from her large social media following and abilities as an all-around gymnast with the LSU Tigers.
Dunne signed with WME Sports activities for illustration in August 2021 and has offers with a lot of manufacturers, together with Vuori clothes, Faculty GameDay, GrubHub, Madden/EA Sports activities, and American Eagle.
– This text initially appeared within the New York Submit and was republished with permission.
