Current:Home > FinanceGabby Douglas to return to gymnastics competition for first time in eight years-LoTradeCoin
Gabby Douglas to return to gymnastics competition for first time in eight years
View Date:2024-12-23 23:37:48
Gabby Douglas plans to compete for the first time in almost eight years later this month.
The 2012 Olympic all-around champion confirmed Tuesday that she will compete at Winter Cup, which is Feb. 24 in Louisville, Kentucky. It’s the first of several meets Douglas will have to do if she’s to make it to the Paris Olympics.
“I’m super excited to get back out there,” Douglas said during an interview on NBC News NOW. “I would love to go back out there and represent the USA just one more time.”
Douglas is a three-time Olympic gold medalist. In addition to her all-around title, the first by a Black gymnast, she and the “Fierce Five” won the team gold in London. After taking a break, Douglas returned to the sport ahead of the Rio Olympics and was part of the team that won gold at the 2016 Games.
Though Douglas never officially retired, another return seemed unlikely as the years passed. But rumors began circulating in 2022 that she had resumed training, and Douglas confirmed it last July with an Instagram post. She “wanted to find the joy again for the sport that I absolutely love doing,” she wrote, and indicated her goal was to compete in Paris.
“I didn’t want to end the sport how I did in 2016,” Douglas, who was subjected to relentless personal attacks in both London and Rio, said Tuesday.
“I wanted to take a step back and work on myself and work on my mental state,” she added. “I love pushing myself every single day and I love the sport. So I never wanted to walk away on a bad day. I really want to make sure I put in my all and end on a good note.”
Douglas turned 28 on Dec. 31 and would be the oldest U.S. woman gymnast to compete at an Olympics since a youth movement swept the sport in the 1970s. But she said her body is holding up well. Though she spends “a little bit more time” on uneven bars, her signature event, she is training to do the all-around.
After Winter Cup, Douglas said she hopes to do “a few more assignments” before the U.S. Classic in May. That meet serves as a qualifier for the national championships, which are May 30-June 2 in Fort Worth, Texas. The Olympic trials are June 27-30 in Minneapolis.
“I’m feeling excited, nervous, grateful, a little bit timid. But I think that’s normal. It’s been such a long time,” Douglas said. “I’m excited to get back out there, be with everyone, get my feet wet a little bit after eight years out, and then I think I’ll be good to go.”
veryGood! (622)
Related
- Kirk Herbstreit berates LSU fans throwing trash vs Alabama: 'Enough is enough, clowns'
- Long recovery ahead for some in path of deadly tornados in central U.S.
- St. Patrick's Day 2024 parades livestream: Watch celebrations around the US
- Report: Law enforcement should have taken man into custody before he killed 18 in Maine
- Republican Dan Newhouse wins reelection to US House in Washington
- Could Bitcoin climb to more than $1 million before 2030? Cathie Wood says yes.
- A new front opens over South Dakota ballot initiatives: withdrawing signatures from petitions
- Is Jason Momoa Irish? 'Aquaman' actor stars in Guinness ad ahead of St. Patrick's Day
- Colorado police shot, kill mountain lion after animal roamed on school's campus
- Bears trade Justin Fields to Steelers, clear way to take a QB such as Caleb Williams with No. 1 pick
Ranking
- Wisconsin’s high court to hear oral arguments on whether an 1849 abortion ban remains valid
- Meteorologists say this year’s warm winter provided key ingredient for Midwest killer tornadoes
- Totally into totality: Eclipse lovers will travel anywhere to chase shadows on April 8
- Josh Lucas' Girlfriend Shares Surprising Sweet Home Alabama Take
- Fantasy football waiver wire: 10 players to add for NFL Week 11
- I think James Crumbley will walk free in manslaughter trial – because society blames mothers
- Coroner identifies 3 men who were found fatally shot in northwestern Indiana home
- The Supreme Court won’t intervene in a dispute over drag shows at a public university in Texas
Recommendation
-
The Fate of Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager's Today Fourth Hour Revealed
-
Former four weight world champion Roberto Duran receiving medical care for a heart problem
-
Aaron Donald announces his retirement after a standout 10-year career with the Rams
-
Get Your Carts Ready! Free People’s Sale Is Heating Up, With Deals of up to 95% Off
-
Democrat Ruben Gallego wins Arizona US Senate race against Republican Kari Lake
-
University of Maryland lifts suspension on most fraternities and sororities amid hazing probe
-
Aaron Donald announces his retirement after a standout 10-year career with the Rams
-
Mega Millions jackpot soars to $875 million. Powerball reaches $600 million