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Three-time Olympic gold medalist Gabby Douglas has officially withdrawn from the U.S. gymnastics championships in Fort Worth, Texas, due to an ankle injury sustained during training this week. The unfortunate setback Wednesday marks the end of Douglas' remarkable bid to make the 2024 Paris Olympic team, a journey that began with her comeback announcement in February after an eight-year hiatus.
Douglas, who would have been the oldest American woman to compete in gymnastics at the Olympics since 1952, expressed her disappointment but remained proud of her accomplishments over the past 18 months.
“I love this sport and I love pushing my limits,” Douglas said, as reported by ESPN. “I hope I can inspire both my peers and the next generation of gymnasts that age is just a number, and you can accomplish anything you work hard for.”
Douglas' return to competitive gymnastics has been nothing short of inspirational. The 28-year-old, who first made history as the first Black gymnast to win the Olympic all-around title at the 2012 London Games, also helped the U.S. secure back-to-back team golds in London and Rio in 2016. Her comeback journey saw her return to competition in April at the American Classic in Katy, Texas, where she qualified for the U.S. championships.
She has spent most of the past two years training in Texas with Valeri Liukin, the father and coach of 2008 Olympic all-around champion Nastia Liukin, per Will Graves of KCCI.
However, her path to Paris has been full of obstacles. At the U.S. Classic in Hartford, Connecticut, earlier this month, Douglas struggled on the bars and subsequently withdrew from the remainder of the competition. The U.S. championships were her final opportunity to earn an invite to the Olympic trials in Minneapolis in June, but her injury has now put those dreams on hold.
Gabby Douglas optimistic about Los Angeles 2028 Olympics
Despite the setback, Douglas remains optimistic about her future in gymnastics. She plans to recover from her injury and has already set her sights on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where she will be 32.
“I proved to myself and to the sport that my skills remain at an elite level,” Douglas said. “My plan is to continue to train for the L.A. 2028 Olympics. It would be such an honor to represent the U.S. at a home Olympics.”
Douglas also intends to reunite with her longtime representative, Lowell Taub of Range Sports, as she prepares for her next chapter.
The gymnastics community and fans worldwide have watched Douglas' comeback with great interest, celebrating her resilience and commitment to the sport. While her immediate plans have been altered, her legacy as a trailblazer and champion remains intact. The prospect of seeing her compete on home soil in 2028 offers a new goal for her to strive toward.
