Chambana Sun

Tate Costa spent the last weekend of June 2012 with his eyes glued to the TV, watching the U.S. Olympic Team Trials ahead of the London Olympic Games that took place later that summer. At that time, Costa had started gymnastics only one month earlier and idolized the gymnasts competing.

Nearly 12 years and three Olympic cycles later, Costa found himself at the same competition, this time as one of 20 gymnasts vying for a spot on the U.S. team for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

"It's crazy to think that 12 years later, I was at that meet," Costa said. "It's crazy to have a full-circle moment of actually being there and competing."

The past three months have been significant for Costa. After winning the NCAA high bar national title and earning two-time All-American status in April, he secured a spot at the 2024 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships in May before participating in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in June.

"It's really unbelievable. It's been a crazy year," Costa said. "At this time last summer, if I told my past self the things I did this year, I'd be like, 'You're crazy. That just can't be true.' It was an unbelievable year, and I'm so grateful for all of it. I've made a lot of progress in one year, and I'm super proud of the year I've had. All of it is still kind of surreal.

"Now that it has happened, I've reflected on it a little bit, and I'm ready to do more in the upcoming year."

Costa's debut collegiate campaign in 2023 was challenging due to injuries from being run over by a bus during winter. He made only seven appearances, leaving him unsatisfied but increasingly motivated heading into his sophomore season.

Aiming for greater achievements personally and as part of his team in 2024, Costa was voted captain by his teammates. With feelings of disappointment and ambition serving as motivation, he aimed to get back on track in his second year at Champaign.

"You only have four years in college. You only get so many years of being healthy to be able to do a sport like gymnastics, and I didn't want to waste a second of it," Costa said. "There's not much longevity in it, so you have to take advantage of the time you have. That's what I thought to myself at the end of my freshman year going into the offseason."

Costa stayed healthy and embraced his larger role by competing in all 14 meets as an all-arounder while winning seven total event titles. His hard work culminated in national glory when he stood atop the podium at the NCAA Championships in Columbus, Ohio.

Finishing 25th overall in the all-around at the U.S. Championships in Texas one month later earned Costa a spot on the USA Gymnastics Senior Development Team and an opportunity to compete at the Olympic Team Trials in Minnesota.

Walking into Target Center in Minneapolis, Costa focused on savoring the moment and enjoying the atmosphere while gaining invaluable experience heading into the next Olympic cycle in 2028.

"I didn't have any expectations; I was just trying to do my best out there," Costa said. "It was good to get those experiences under my belt this early because four years from now is probably going to be when I'm at my best in gymnastics. Having this opportunity was huge because I'll feel more comfortable next time around."

Costa enters the 2025 season as reigning national high bar champion with increased goals for himself and his team—the Fighting Illini men's gymnastics team—as he prepares for another campaign as captain.

"This last season definitely gave me a sense of belief in what I'm capable of," Costa said. "I now have goals for making an Olympic Team, World Championships Team, Senior National Team—setting myself up for international competitions representing United States gymnastics."

He also aims for further NCAA success: "I want to win more national titles and bring this team to a national championship... There's nothing more I want than to win NCAAs as a team."