Gabby Douglas Withdraws From Championship After Remarkable Comeback
2012 London Olympic all-around champion, Gabby Douglas, pulled out from the Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships last weekend in Fort Worth, Texas.
Douglas was the first Black gymnast to win an Olympic gold all-around title. The champion helped the U.S. team take home a gold title for the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Games. However, shortly after her return, the athlete’s 2024 Paris Olympics goal came to an end.
Although Gabby Douglas' #ParisOlympics journey has ended, reportedly due to injury, she is looking ahead to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. pic.twitter.com/MFSgisXwQu
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) May 29, 2024
The Olympian made her return to the floor after her appearance in the 2016 Rio Games. The all-around champ started training for the 2024 Paris Olympics a year ago.
On April 26 at the American Classic in Katy, Texas, Douglas placed second on vault, fifth on balance beam, and eleventh all-around. Her performance advanced her to qualify to compete on vault and bars at the Core Classic Hydration competition later in May.
The athlete continued to compete on May 18 at the Core Classic in Hartford, CT. Keeping high spirits, the gymnast stated, “I just want to go out there and do my very best and not try too hard or try too much… Just try to do my normal.”
Taking to her first event at the uneven bars, Douglas started her routine strong. Unfortunately, she had two falls on pirouetting skills, resulting in a score of 10.10. Viewers expected to see the gymnast’s return for her next event on beam, but, soon after, news was released that she had withdrawn from the meet altogether due to an ankle injury.
Already qualified for vault and uneven bars at the Xfinity Championship on May 31, fans were excited to see the gymnast compete once more. But, yesterday, news came out that she officially withdrew from the event ending her 2024 comeback.
strong woman. wish she'd been able to keep going.
— Nei Chan (@NeiChan40105320) May 29, 2024
Douglas explained, “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.” She also told reporters that she will continue to train and hopes to return for the L.A. 2028 Olympics representing her home country.
Although Gabby Douglas will not be competing, readers can still check out the USA Gymnastics Instagram for updates and results on the Xfinity Championships.
