Topline
Three-time Olympic gold medalist Gabby Douglas told NBC News on Tuesday that she’ll return to competitive gymnastics this month and may compete for a spot on the five-person American squad for the Paris Olympics this year.
Key Facts
Douglas said in an interview with NBC News she missed competing after watching the 2022 World Gymnastics Championships, where the USA women’s team captured gold over Great Britain.
Douglas will make her competitive return Feb. 24 at the Winter Cup in Louisville, Kentucky, eight years after her last competition at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
The gold medalist, who will be the Winter Cup’s oldest gymnast at 28 years old, said she stepped back from gymnastics to work on her mental health.
Douglas has been training since 2022 and indicated she would make an attempt at participating in the Olympics this year, saying she would take things a day at a time regarding the competition.
What To Watch For
All-around gold medalists Simone Biles and Sunisa Lee are trying to make the women’s U.S. Olympic team this year. If Biles, Lee and Douglas all made the team, the Olympic stars would represent the last three women to claim Olympic all-around gold medals. The team will ultimately be decided by a selection committee.
Key Background
Douglas, a specialist on the uneven bars, won all-around gold at the London 2012 Olympics when she was 17 years old. She won her two other gold medals in team events in London and at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Following years away from competition, Douglas began training at World Olympic Gymnastics Academy in 2022, according to USA Gymnastics. Carly Patterson and Nastia Liukin, Olympic all-around champions who won their medals in 2004 and 2008 respectively, also trained at the facility.
Further Reading
Gabby Douglas announces return to competitive gymnastics with eye on Paris (NBC News)
Gabby Douglas’ Gold Medals At The London Olympics Mean Multi-Million Dollar Endorsement Deals (Forbes)