Olympic all-around champion Gabby Douglas out of competitive return after COVID-19 positive test
Douglas last competed at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, where she won her third gold medal
Artistic Gymnastics
London 2012 Olympic all-around gymnastics champion Gabby Douglas' return to competition will have to wait.
The 28-year-old was scheduled to participate in her first competition in nearly eight years Saturday (24 February) at the Winter Cup in Louisville, Kentucky, but announced Thursday (22 February) that she would miss the event after testing positive for COVID-19.
"I'm so sad to say that I won't be competing this weekend," Douglas wrote in a post on Instagram. "I was so excited to get back out on the competition floor, but unfortunately, I just tested positive for COVID.
"Thank you so much of all your support and positive energy - it really does mean the world to me," she continued. "I'm crushed, but I'll see you guys soon!"
With the withdrawal, Douglas will still need to earn a qualifying spot to the U.S. Championships in late May. She could do that at April's national team camp or at the American Classic later in the month. Her final opportunity would be the U.S. Classic, 17-19 May in Hartford, Connecticut.
Douglas had announced her prospective return earlier this month during an interview on NBC News Now.
"I was watching the 2022 [U.S.] championships, and I was like, 'Man, I miss competing.' And, I was trying to figure out how to get like, this... I'm still a competitor at heart.... I can get this out of me, and so I decided to start back training," Douglas told Hallie Jackson during the interview. "I can't believe I'm in this sport again."
The three-time Olympic gold medal winner has not competed since the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, where she helped Team USA to a gold medal. She also has team and all-around Olympic titles from London 2012.
The 28-year-old's return remains highly anticipated after having kept a low profile over the last several years.
Douglas' renewed Olympic dreams were first confirmed by coach Valeri Liukin in late February last year, then by Douglas herself on her Instagram in July.
"As you all know, I stepped back from the socials, and in that time, I did a lot of journaling, reflecting, soul searching and found myself back where it all began," Douglas wrote on Instagram. "I wanted to find the joy again for the sport that I absolutely love doing. I know I have a huge task ahead of me, and I am beyond grateful and excited to get back out on the floor.
"There’s so much to be said but for now….💪 😎 Let’s do this #2024," she concluded.
Hours later, Douglas shared a seven-second long training clip on the uneven bars that showed her peforming two extremely difficult pirouetting elements. The 2015 World all-around silver medallist has since shared several training videos, including executing a standing back flip with a full twist on the balance beam.
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