She’s back–and we’re here for it!
Gabby Douglas–the awe-inspiring gymnast who secured the Olympic all-around gold medal in 2012–has declared her return to professional gymnastics after an eight-year hiatus, NBC News reports. Expressing her competitive spirit, Douglas shared in a recent interview on Hallie Jackson NOW, “I’m still a competitor at heart.” Inspired by the 2022 championships, she felt a call to return to the gym, leading to her decision to re-enter the world of gymnastics.
Douglas will make her comeback at the Winter Cup in Louisville, Kentucky, on Feb. 24th, marking her first competition since the 2016 Rio Olympics. At 28, she becomes the oldest gymnast in the competition, determined to showcase her prowess across all apparatuses, with special emphasis on the uneven bars – her signature event.
Reflecting on her hiatus, Douglas expressed a desire to not end her gymnastics journey on a negative note. Her return shows a dedication to mental well-being and a love for pushing her limits. If selected for the 2024 team, Douglas could become the first American woman since Dominique Dawes to make three Olympic teams, joining the ranks of her 2016 teammate Simone Biles, who is also eyeing a third Olympic appearance.
As the Olympic Trials approach in June 2024, gymnastics enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the unfolding chapter of Gabby Douglas’s storied career, as she aims for Olympic glory once again.
Cover Photo: Gabby Douglas Announces Return To Professional Gymnastics / Credit: Rich Polk/Getty Images for IMDb