Gymnastics champion Gabby Douglas publicizes return, eyes Paris

Gabby Douglas, the 2012 Olympic all-around gymnastics champion, will return to competitors for the primary time in practically eight years on the Winter Cup in Louisville, Kentucky, on Feb. 24.

The 28-year-old Douglas, who made the announcement on NBC Information NOW on Tuesday, was a teen when she competed in London and have become the primary Black girl to win the Olympic title. She hasn’t competed since serving to the U.S. win group gold on the 2016 Olympics.

The three-time Olympic gold medalist went on an prolonged sabbatical after the Rio de Janeiro Video games however returned to coaching in 2022 and introduced final summer time she would attempt to make the 2024 Olympic group.

“I by no means introduced a retirement,” Douglas advised NBC. “I did not wish to finish this sport like I did in 2016. I wished to take a step again and work on myself and my psychological state.”

Douglas joins a crowded and adorned area hoping to make the five-woman Olympic squad, together with Olympic champions Simone Biles (2016) and Sunisa Lee (2020). Biles returned to competitors final summer time after a two-year break and gained her document sixth world all-around title final fall.

Douglas stated she is “positively” aiming for Paris however added she is taking issues sooner or later at a time.

The Winter Cup is the primary vital U.S. meet of the 12 months, with the Video games looming in late July. Douglas has shared a part of her journey on her social media channels, together with an prolonged glimpse of her work on the uneven bars, traditionally her strongest occasion.

“I truthfully love going to the health club and getting my expertise again,” Douglas stated. “It is vitally thrilling.”