Gabby Douglas is able to return to the Olympics practically eight years after her final competitors.
When requested whether or not Douglas, 28, was aiming to compete within the 2024 Paris Olympics, she replied “most definitely,” including that she is “still a competitor at heart.”
“Definitely taking it one day at a time,” Douglas advised Hallie Jackson NOW on Tuesday, February 6. “But I’m honestly super excited to get back out there.”
The three-time Olympic gold medalist first appeared within the 2012 London Olympics and once more within the 2016 Rio Olympics, however didn’t make a return for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Regardless of not competing, Douglas famous on Tuesday that she by no means formally introduced her retirement.
Making it to the Olympics is a feat that numerous athletes dream of their total lives. After years of blood, sweat and tears, taking part in probably the most prestigious athletic occasion on the planet is a once-in-a-lifetime second. Some athletes compete one time within the Olympic Video games and hold up their hats, stepping gracefully into retirement. […]
Douglas added that she didn’t need to finish her journey within the spot the place she did within the 2016 Video games. (Through the 2016 Rio Olympics, Douglas confronted criticism for not putting her hand over her coronary heart in the course of the U.S. nationwide anthem and never becoming a member of a standing ovation for 2 of her teammates amongst different issues. She additionally didn’t medal in any particular person occasions.)
“I wanted to take a step back and work on myself and work on my mental state,” she stated. “I love gymnastics and I love pushing myself everything single day. I love this sport so I never wanted to walk away on a bad day.”
Gabrielle Douglas within the 2016 Olympics. Tim Clayton/Corbis through Getty Pictures
Whereas recognizing it’s “a lot of hard work,” Douglas famous that it could “mean a lot” if she would seem in three Olympics: 2012, 2016 and 2024.
“I’d just love to go back out there and represent [the] USA one more time,” she stated. “Just to have that feeling of being a part of something, being a part of [the] team again would be amazing and a huge honor.”
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Douglas defined that she’s coaching for all 4 occasions (ground train, vault, steadiness beam and uneven bars) however she’s paying “a little more attention” to her signature one — the uneven bars. As for the way her physique is getting ready for this athletic feat, Douglas stated she likes to push herself to the restrict.
Douglas is ready to return to her first competitors for the reason that 2016 Rio Olympics on February 24 on the Winter Cup in Louisville, Kentucky.
After sharing the information on Tuesday, Douglas took to her social media to share a montage of clips of her working towards within the fitness center.
“Wow guys, what a journey so far,” Douglas wrote through Instagram. “It’s had its ups and downs, but I’m not done pushing the boundaries. I’m determined to make every moment count! SO happy to get back out on the competition floor and enjoy this sport that I fell in love with as a little girl. Here’s to never giving up on our dreams. Let’s do this.”
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Douglas earned two gold medals in the course of the London Video games, the place she was a member of the “Fierce Five” (the group additionally included McKayla Maroney, Aly Raisman, Kyla Ross and Jordyn Wieber) that received the group gold. She additionally introduced dwelling the best achievement within the particular person all-around title. She obtained her third gold medal in 2016 when the U.S. ladies’s group received the occasion.
Douglas confirmed in July 2023 that she had resumed coaching and had her eye set on the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“For many years, I’ve had an ache in my heart. But I didn’t want to keep carrying anger, pain, sadness, or regret and through my tears and hurt, I’ve found peace,” Douglas wrote through Instagram alongside two black-and-white pictures of her on the steadiness beam. “I needed to search out the enjoyment once more for the game that I completely love doing.
She famous that she’s conscious she has a “huge task” forward of her, however she’s “beyond grateful and excited to get back out on the floor.”
The 2024 Olympics kick off on July 26.
