Addalye VanGrinsven is positioning herself as a primary contender for the United States women’s artistic gymnastics team ahead of the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026. If selected, the 14-year-old would be among the first U.S. Women’s artistic gymnasts to compete in the event, which is scheduled to begin on October 31, 2026.
VanGrinsven has experienced a rapid ascent in the sport, moving from Level 9 in 2024 to becoming an international medallist within a few months. This progression has seen her establish herself as a top junior elite gymnast representing the United States.
Breakout Performance in 2025
VanGrinsven began her junior elite career at the 2025 Winter Cup, where she finished third in the all-around, alongside placing third on floor exercise, sixth on balance beam, and seventh on uneven bars.
Following her debut, she made her international debut at International Gymnix. During this competition, she helped team USA secure a silver medal in the team event. Individually, she won a gold medal on vault and a bronze medal on the floor exercise.
In April 2025, VanGrinsven competed at the City of Jesolo Trophy, contributing to a gold medal victory for team USA in the team event.
Her momentum continued at the 2025 U.S. Classic, where she earned a silver medal on floor exercise and a bronze medal on vault, finishing fourth in the all-around. These results led to her selection for the 2025 Junior Pan American Games in Asunción.
At the Junior Pan American Games, VanGrinsven became the vault champion. She also earned medals in the all-around, balance beam, floor exercise, and the team event.
Due to the proximity of the Pan American Games, VanGrinsven only competed on the first day of the 2025 National Championships to ensure she was rested for the international competition in Asunción.
Continued Success in 2026
VanGrinsven has maintained her form into the 2026 season. At the 2026 Winter Cup in Louisville, Kentucky, she placed first on vault and second on floor exercise, both tied results. She also finished third in the all-around and fourth on the uneven bars.
More recently, she competed at the 2026 Jesolo Trophy in Jesolo, Italy. VanGrinsven helped team USA win first place in the team event and secured individual third-place finishes in the all-around and on vault. She also finished fourth on the floor exercise in a tied result.
Training and Background
Born on August 6, 2011, in Maple Grove, Minnesota, VanGrinsven began gymnastics in 2012. In late 2024, her family moved to Seattle, Washington, to facilitate her training at Pacific Reign Gymnastics in Bothell.
She is coached by head coach Cale Robinson and assistant coach Steph Gentry. VanGrinsven is one of four children born to Adam and Molly VanGrinsven; her sister, Audrey, is also a Junior Elite gymnast.
Beyond her immediate competitive goals for Dakar 2026, VanGrinsven has stated that her broader ambitions in the sport are to go to the Olympics and obtain a Division 1 Scholarship
.