Gymnastics star Gabby Douglas pulls out of US Championships, ending bid for third Olympics

Gabby Douglas' Paris Olympics comeback ends due to ankle injury. First Black woman to win Olympic title reflects on love for sport.

Gabby Douglas, the 2012 Olympic all-around champion, has ended her bid to make the U.S. women's gymnastics team for the Paris Olympics. The 28-year-old athlete withdrew from the USA Gymnastics Championships due to an ankle injury, halting her comeback after an eight-year hiatus. Douglas returned to competition at the American Classic last month and made her first major appearance at the U.S. Classic in Hartford, Connecticut, where she faced challenges on the uneven bars.

Despite qualifying for three events - vault, uneven bars, and balance beam - Douglas did not meet the minimum score standard for the all-around competition, limiting her chances of securing a spot on the highly competitive five-woman U.S. team. As the first Black woman to win an Olympic title, Douglas announced her return last summer, fueled by her renewed love for the sport after watching the 2022 U.S. championships.

Training under Valeri Liukin in Texas, the father and coach of 2008 Olympic all-around champion Nastia Liukin, Douglas showcased both signs of rust and glimpses of her former powerhouse self at the American Classic. Her journey in gymnastics has been marked by triumphs and setbacks, from her victory at the London Olympics to her struggles in 2016. Despite the challenges, Douglas remains determined to end her career on a positive note, driven by love and joy for the sport she once excelled in.

While Douglas' future in gymnastics remains uncertain, her resilience and dedication to the sport may pave the way for future opportunities. As she navigates this chapter of her athletic career, Douglas continues to inspire fans with her perseverance and unwavering passion for gymnastics.

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