Gabby Douglas is continuing her gymnastics journey, showing that she still has more to give to the sport.
“I want to express my deep gratitude for the unwavering support, grace, and love you have shown me. Your kindness has truly touched my heart,” Douglas expressed. “Although this chapter may be coming to a close, it is far from the end of my gymnastics journey.”
Related posts
After an eight-year hiatus from competing, the 2012 Olympic champion had her sights set on making a comeback in Paris. However, her journey to the Olympics hasn’t been smooth so far. In her recent competitions, the American Classic in late April and the U.S. Classic two weeks ago, she faced challenges, falling twice on the uneven bars.
Douglas, who is now 28 years old, returned to the sport with a desire for a different outcome in her career. Even though she had achieved great success as a three-time Olympic medalist, winning team golds in both 2012 and 2016, as well as securing the all-around title in London, she admitted that she had grown to “hate” gymnastics towards the end of the Rio Olympics.
Gabby Douglas, the first Black woman to win the Olympic all-around title, faced relentless criticism from fans in both 2012 and 2016. She endured ridicule for her hair and was chastised for her demeanor during the national anthem. Unfortunately, there are still fans who wrongly claim that Douglas didn’t deserve her spot on the Rio team.
Douglas ranked third in the qualifying round in Rio, just behind Simone Biles and Aly Raisman. However, she was unable to compete in the all-around final due to the two-per-country limit. Douglas showcased her talent on the uneven bars, achieving the second-highest score for the United States in both qualifying and team finals. Her exceptional performance on this apparatus solidified the American team’s lead and dashed any chances Russia had of catching up.
Douglas, though never formally retired, came to a realization while observing the 2022 national championships – she deeply missed the world of gymnastics. In July of last year, she made it known that she had resumed training, with her sights set on the upcoming Paris competition.
More: Eight years have passed since the Rio Olympics, and Gabby Douglas, the remarkable gold medalist, is finally getting the ending she truly deserves.
At the U.S. Classic, Douglas expressed her desire to conclude her journey with love and joy, rather than harboring any negative sentiments towards something she deeply cherishes.
When asked about her feelings, Douglas enthusiastically replied, “Absolutely! I definitely do.”
Douglas finally received the love and recognition she had always deserved. When she was introduced at the U.S. Classic, the crowd erupted in thunderous applause. Even little girls who were not yet born during her Olympic all-around victory couldn’t contain their excitement and shrieked her name, hoping to catch her attention.
On Sunday, Douglas expressed her gratitude to everyone who has been by her side throughout her journey, providing support and lifting her spirits on her toughest days. She conveyed her deep love and appreciation for all of them.
Gabby Douglas expresses her determination to continue her gymnastics journey, emphasizing that this is just a temporary setback. She extends her gratitude to her fans for their unwavering support throughout her career.
