Gabby Douglas isn’t going to the USA Gymnastics April national team camp. So, what’s next?
This week, USA Gymnastics announced the women who will be participating at their upcoming national team camp (1-4 April) in Katy, Texas, and three-time Olympic gold medallist Gabby Douglas was not among them.
The announcement comes after coach Anna Liukin told Olympics.com earlier this month that the 2012 Olympic all-around gold medallist was hoping for an invite to the April camp where the goal was to compete on all four events.
The camp is a selection event for several upcoming international assignments, including the Jesolo Trophy and Pacific Rim Championships.
USA Gymnastics said all attendees met at least one of the following criteria: "Current Junior and Senior National Team members; Senior athletes who placed in the top 12 in the all-around at 2024 Winter Cup and achieved the U.S. Championships qualification score; Junior athletes who placed in the top six in the all-around at 2024 Winter Cup and achieved the U.S. Championships qualification score; 2020 Olympic Medalists."
Douglas, 28, announced last summer that she is aiming to compete at the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games after a nearly eight-year hiatus from the sport, but after missing February’s Winter Cup with COVID, Douglas has yet to make her competitive return.
With just three months until the USA women’s gymnastics team is set to be announced at the U.S. Olympic trials in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Douglas’ opportunities to show her level and make her case for inclusion on the Paris squad are running out.
What could be Gabby Douglas’ first competition back?
The first opportunity for Douglas to compete comes in late April at the American Classic (25-28).
It would be a quiet return for the history-making gymnast as the event is held not in a large arena, but inside a gymnastics training centre, Stars Gymnastics in Katy, Texas.
Douglas would need to petition to participate in the event, which she is eligible to do and a petition earlier this year to the Winter Cup was accepted.
Following the American Classic is the U.S. Classic, set for 17-19 May in Hartford, Connecticut.
The American Classic and U.S. Classic are opportunities for Douglas to qualify to the U.S. Championships (30 May-2 June, Fort Worth, Texas).
Results at the U.S. Championships will determine the athletes that advance to the Olympic trials, after which the U.S. team will be named.
Gabby Douglas comeback: a brief timeline
Rumours that Douglas was back in the gym began to swirl following the 2022 U.S. championships.
But her renewed Olympic dreams were first confirmed by coach Valeri Liukin in late February last year, then by Douglas herself on her Instagram in July.
"As you all know, I stepped back from the socials, and in that time, I did a lot of journaling, reflecting, soul searching and found myself back where it all began," Douglas wrote on Instagram. "I wanted to find the joy again for the sport that I absolutely love doing. I know I have a huge task ahead of me, and I am beyond grateful and excited to get back out on the floor.
"There’s so much to be said but for now….💪 😎 Let’s do this #2024," she concluded.
While there was speculation Douglas would compete during the 2023 season, she did not. Instead, she announced in February that she planned to compete at the 2024 Winter Cup in Louisville, Kentucky.
Douglas withdrew from the event at the last minute, however, citing a positive Covid-19 test.
Following Winter Cup, Anna Liukin confirmed that Douglas had left and subsequently returned to WOGA Gymnastics, which Liukin and husband Valeri own. Upon Douglas’ return the gym, Liukin told Olympics.com that 2015 world all-around silver medallist was hoping for an invite to the April national team camp.