Gabby Douglas Makes Official Return to Gymnastics After Eight Years

Gabby Douglas, the gymnastics star who made history as the first Black woman to win the Olympic all-around title in 2012, is officially back in the sport after an eight-year hiatus. Douglas, now 28 years old, made her competitive return at the American Classic, where she posted a score of 50.65 in the all-around competition.

While Douglas showed signs of rustiness in some areas, she also displayed promise in others, qualifying in multiple events for the upcoming U.S. Championships in Fort Worth, Texas. She will have another opportunity to qualify for the all-around competition at the U.S. Classic in Hartford, Connecticut, on May 18.

After taking a break following the 2016 Rio Olympics, where she helped the U.S. team secure a gold medal, Douglas never officially retired from the sport. Her desire to return was reignited while watching the 2022 U.S. Championships, leading her to train diligently in the hopes of making the U.S. team for the Paris Olympics this summer.

Despite facing setbacks, such as testing positive for COVID-19 before the Winter Cup in February, Douglas remains focused on her comeback. With less than 100 days until the Paris Olympics, she will need to fine-tune her routines and consistency to compete with the elite gymnasts vying for a spot on the U.S. team.

As Douglas continues her journey back to the top of the gymnastics world, fans eagerly await her next performances at the U.S. Classic and U.S. Championships, where she will have the opportunity to showcase her skills and potentially secure a spot on the Olympic team.