Gabby Douglas Returns to Gymnastics, Eyes 2024 Paris Olympics

Published: February 26, 2024

Gabby Douglas Returns to Gymnastics, Eyes 2024 Paris Olympics

By Movieguide® Contributor

Three-time Olympic gold medalist Gabby Douglas took a long break from gymnastics after struggling with her mental health, but she’s getting back to the gym and has her sights set on the 2024 Olympics.

Movieguide® previously reported on Douglas’s announcement of her return to gymnastics:

Gabby Douglas, a three-time Olympic gold medalist, announced her return to the sport and hinted at the possibility of competing in the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics.

“Hey guys long time no post,” Douglas wrote. “As you all know I stepped back from the socials and in that time I did a lot of journaling, reflecting, soul search and found myself back where it all began.

“It’s so easy to suppress and run away from facing darkness and fears,” she continued. “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.

“I wanted to find the joy again for the sport that I absolutely love doing,” she explained. “I know I have a huge taks ahead of me and I am beyond grateful and excited to get back out on the floor and even more grateful for all of you support and love.

“It feels amazing to be back,” she told Inside Gymnastics Magazine with a smile. “It feels kind of weird, honestly, I don’t know. I didn’t foresee this, but it feels so amazing to be back in the gym.”

Her biggest goal?

“To love the sport that I love doing and never want to walk away and hate what I love doing,” Douglas explained before adding, “My biggest goal is to go out there and just do the best that I can at this point.”

Through all of her struggles, she never lost her passion for gymnastics.

“I still loved the sport, that love has never gone away or changed,” she told the Olympics. “What I struggled with the most was, wait, just because I achieved that thing, which I’m so proud of…why is that I need to now move on or why is it expected that you do it and you’re done?”

“That’s why I never wanted to announced any sort of retirement or, you know, like I’m done with gymnastics even though things didn’t go well the last Olympics,” Douglas explained. “I never wanted to quit on a bad day. I wanted to make sure if I give it my all and really push myself and give it everything I’ve got then I’ll be satisfied and be like, ‘Okay, I can finally rest.'”

But the athlete knows she’s not done yet.

“If you really put in work and you really believe in yourself…Why not? Why not go for it? No matter your race, no matter how old you are, no matter the circumstance, I would say go for those dreams,” she added.

Douglas shared a video of her training on her Instagram and wrote, “Wow guys, what a journey so far. 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.”