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Pittsburgh Pirates star Paul Skenes and national gymnastics champion Olivia Dunne have been the darlings of the baseball world since they officially announced their relationship a few years ago.
But the long-distance nature of their relationship could add extra pressure to the young lovebirds as they begin their lives together. Anyone who has ever been in a similar situation will agree.
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Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates watches the selection show with his girlfriend Olivia Dunne during the announcement of the 2024 National League ROY Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Award on November 18, 2024 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Lucas Casel/MLB photos via Getty Images)
Dunne spoke to People in February about how the two approached the possible obstacle.
“Honestly, I don’t think we have any rules. I just think being very present with each other when you’re together, while you’re spending time together, is super important,” she told the magazine. “I mean, he makes time to come to my events. I make time to go watch him throw. I try to get every start I can.”
“We’re both so busy that we understand if each other can’t be there for everything, but I think it’s just about valuing the time you have together and being super present in every moment.”
Dunne was regularly spotted at Pirates games – whether in Pittsburgh or on the road on the East Coast – cheering on Skenes.
LIVVY DUNNE CONFRONTS HER BOYFRIEND PAUL SKENES IN THE “ULTIMATE TRUST TEST” DURING THE BULLPEN SESSION
Olivia Dunne cheers while watching the game between the New York Mets and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citi Field on May 12, 2025. (Brad Penner/Imagn Images)
She was also with him when he won the National League Rookie of the Year award in 2024 and, last year, when he won the National League Cy Young Award.
The two started dating in 2023 and she revealed in April 2025 that it almost never happened.
Dunne revealed in an interview with GQ Magazine that the relationship almost didn’t happen. She said Skenes unfollowed her on Instagram.
“He wouldn’t follow me on Instagram,” she said.
Skenes told GQ that he rarely used Instagram during the time Dunne followed him.
Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes arrives from the bullpen before the game against the Oakland Athletics at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on September 21, 2025. (Charles LeClaire/Imagn Images)
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“I was like, who is this kid and why isn’t he following me?” she told the outlet.
The pitcher said he knew who Dunne was at the time, while the gymnast didn’t really know who the baseball player was but wondered who “the tall, mysterious man who never smiles” was. They explained that Skenes was more of a “reserved” man and that Dunne was more outgoing, but that didn’t stop their pursuits of each other.
