Gabby Douglas Begins Bid for Third Olympic Gymnastics Team at American Classic

Gabby Douglas, the 2012 Olympic all-around champion, made her competitive comeback at the American Classic in Katy, Texas on Saturday, marking her first competition since the 2016 Olympics. The 28-year-old gymnast placed 11th in the all-around with 50.65 points, showcasing her skills on vault and balance beam.

Douglas had the second-highest score on vault, where she executed a double-twisting Yurchenko, and tied for fifth on the balance beam. However, she faced challenges on the floor exercise, with mistakes on her tumbling passes and stepping out of bounds. She also struggled on the uneven bars, coming off the apparatus twice during her routine.

Despite the setbacks, Douglas remains determined to make a third Olympic team and continue her gymnastics career. She announced her comeback last July and has been training at the World Olympic Gymnastics Academy (WOGA) in Texas. Douglas was set to compete at the Winter Cup in February but had to withdraw after testing positive for COVID-19.

The road to the 2024 Olympics is competitive, with other top American gymnasts like Simone Biles and Suni Lee also vying for a spot on the team. The Olympic squad of five will be named after the trials in June, where up to 10 women with Olympic or world championships medals could compete.

Douglas, who can become the oldest U.S. Olympic female gymnast since 1952, expressed her desire to represent the USA once again and be part of a team. The gymnastics season continues with upcoming competitions like the Core Hydration Classic and the Xfinity U.S. Championships, leading up to the Olympic Trials in June. Fans are eagerly awaiting to see if Douglas can secure her spot on the team and compete at the highest level once again.