Gabby Douglas, the trailblazing gymnast who made history as the first Black woman to win the Olympic all-around title in 2012, has officially returned to the sport after an eight-year hiatus. Competing at the American Classic in Katy, Texas, Douglas showed a mix of rustiness and promise, posting a score of 50.65 in the all-around competition.
The 28-year-old gymnast has qualified in multiple events for the upcoming U.S. Championships in Fort Worth, Texas, next month. She will have another opportunity to qualify for the all-around competition at the U.S. Classic in Hartford, Connecticut, on May 18.
Douglas, who last competed at the 2016 Rio Olympics, took an extended break from the sport but never officially retired. Her decision to return was fueled by watching the 2022 U.S. Championships and training diligently in the Dallas area over the past two years with hopes of making the U.S. team for the Paris Olympics this summer.
Despite facing setbacks, including testing positive for COVID-19 earlier this year, Douglas remains focused on her comeback. While she showed glimpses of her past brilliance in events like vault and bars, she struggled with consistency, particularly on the floor routine.
With upcoming competitions like the U.S. Classic in three weeks, the U.S. Championships in five weeks, and the Olympic Trials in late June, Douglas has limited time to fine-tune her performance and secure a spot on the Olympic team. Her competitors, including Olympic gold medalists Sunisa Lee and Jade Carey, have already showcased their skills, with Carey winning the all-around at the American Classic.
As Douglas navigates her comeback journey, the gymnastics world eagerly awaits to see if she can recapture her Olympic glory and make a strong case for a spot on the U.S. team heading to Paris.
For more Olympic coverage, visit AP Olympics coverage.
