London 2012 all-around gold medallist Gabby Douglas on 2024 comeback: 'Let's do this'
After months of speculation about a possible comeback, Douglas, 27, announced her return Thursday (13 July).
Artistic Gymnastics
Three-time Olympic gymnastics gold medallist Gabby Douglas is on the comeback trail.
After months of speculation online that Douglas, 27, had returned training, the London 2012 all-around gold medallist took to Instagram Thursday (13 July) to confirm her intentions.
"I know I have a huge task ahead of me and I am beyond grateful and excited to get back out on the floor," Douglas said in the post. "and even more grateful for all of your support and love. It truly means so much🖤There’s so much to be said but for now….💪 😎let’s do this #2024."
It had been nearly a year - 14 August 2022 - since Douglas last posted on her Instagram account. She announced, then, that she was, "Taking a step back from the social to work on myself and focus on my mental health."
In her post Thursday (13 July), Douglas explained that her time away from the public eye has led her back to the sport.
"I did a lot of journaling, reflecting, soul searching and found myself back where it all began," wrote Douglas in the post that includes two images of her performing split leap elements on the balance beam at WOGA Gymnastics in Plano, Texas.
Douglas' announcement means that all of the last three women to claim Olympic all-around gold are now aiming for next July's Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Last month, USA Gymnastics announced that 2016 and 2020 champions Simone Biles and Sunisa Lee are registered to compete at 5 August's U.S. Classic in the Chicagoland area; however, Douglas was not part of that announcement.
USA Gymnastics procedures allow Douglas to petition to the Classic but not directly to the U.S. Championships, set for 24-27 August. In order to be eligible to petition to the U.S. Championships, Douglas would need to attend the U.S. Classic and achieve a qualifying score on at least two events.
At 28, Douglas would be the oldest woman to make a U.S. women's gymnastics team since 2004 when Annia Hatch and Mohini Bhardwaj competed at age 26.
The American last competed at the Rio 2016 Games where she was part of the U.S. team that won a second, consecutive gold medal.