Alabama Gymnast Announces Medical Retirement

Cameron Machado will not compete in her fifth season with the Crimson Tide.

Mar 30, 2023; Norman, OK, USA; University of Alabama gymnast Cam Machado performs bars exercise during the 2023 NCAA women's gymnastics regional at Lloyd Noble Center. Mandatory | Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

After missing the first three meets of the season, Alabama fifth-year gymnast Cameron Machado announced her medical retirement from the sport on Tuesday morning.

"After careful consideration, I have decided to medically retire from gymnastics at the University of Alabama," Machado said in a statement released on social media. "This school, and more specifically this program, has given me so much and I will alawys be grateful for the experiences, growth, relationships and memories I've gained along the way. I've had the honor of contributing to this amazing team both on and off the floor, and I will always cherish my time at The Capstone."

Announcement from fifth-year senior Cameron Machado. pic.twitter.com/jRgy9FvqIk

— Alabama Gymnastics (@BamaGymnastics) January 28, 2025

Machado had been granted a fifth year of eligibility over the offseason alongside Shania Adams. Before the season started, Alabama head coach Ashley Johnston said that Machado would be out for the first meet, and they were "unsure" when she would be cleared to return.

She was one of Alabama's best and most consistent performers on the uneven bars last season, with a career best of 9.975 on the apparatus. In 2024, she earned 12 scores of 9.9 or better between the bars and floor exercise. Johnston had said the Crimson Tide was hoping to get Machado in the balance beam lineup as well this year.

Johnston said Machado will still be around this season supporting the team.

"Cam has been such a valuable competitor, leader, teammate for our squad," Johnston said Tuesday. "I can remember coming in three years ago and meeting with Cam, and just being so blown away by her perspective, her ability to step into conversations, help people navigate their journey forward. She truly has been such a standard of excellence in how she has served this team and what a teammate she's been.

"Of course we're sad to see her career end right now, but we know she's going to continue pouring into the team and do everything she can to help our team accomplish our goals this season."

Alabama is also without freshman Love Birt for the entire season. The Crimson Tide got off to a hot start with a 197.025 in the opening meet, but struggled in the following two meets. Alabama will travel to face Georgia this Friday at 6 p.m.

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