Gabby Douglas, renowned gymnastics star, appears to be gearing up for competition.
Through a sequence of Instagram posts, Gabby Douglas, the first Black gymnast to achieve Olympic all-around champion status, dropped subtle hints indicating her intention to make a professional comeback. This revelation comes nearly seven years after she stepped away from the sport.
On July 13th, Gabby Douglas shared black and white photographs of herself gracefully performing on the balance beam, a skill she has long admired and enjoyed. In the accompanying caption, the 27-year-old reflected on her decision to take a step back from social media, emphasizing the positive influence it has had on her personal journey.
She wrote, “hey guys…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 continued, “it’s so easy to suppress and run away from facing darkness and fears/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.”
Following her participation in the Rio Games in 2016, Gabby Douglas, a U.S. hero, assisted her team in securing a second consecutive gold medal. However, despite her achievements, the then 20-year-old gymnast faced relentless online bullying and criticism. This onslaught of negativity took a toll on her emotional well-being, prompting her mother, Natalie Hawkins, to speak out against the cyberbullies. Hawkins revealed how Douglas was enduring emotional distress due to disparaging remarks about her appearance, particularly her skin and hair features.
The following year, Gabby Douglas found herself back in the public eye due to the disturbing actions of former U.S. gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar, which came to light. Nassar, who is currently imprisoned, faced numerous accusations and was ultimately found guilty of sexually assaulting several young gymnasts during his time in the field. One of the first gymnastics superstars to speak out against Nassar’s assaults was Aly Raisman, and her courageous stance played a significant role in his subsequent 60-year prison sentence.
Initially, Douglas faced criticism for what appeared to be a stance against her fellow athletes when she made comments suggesting that women should dress modestly and not attract unwanted attention. However, she later revealed that she too had been a victim of Nassar’s abuse, demonstrating the complexity of the situation and the profound impact it had on numerous gymnasts.
Following the tumultuous events, Douglas took a significant break, distancing herself from both social media and gymnastics. In August of the previous year, she publicly announced her departure, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing her mental well-being. Now, it appears that Douglas has rejuvenated herself and is prepared to embark on a new chapter with renewed determination.
Wrapping up her recent post, she concluded: “i know i have a huge task ahead of me and i am beyond grateful and excited to get back out on the floor/and even more grateful for all of your support and love. it truly means so much, there’s so much to be said but for now….let’s do this #2024″
Douglas’ nod towards the 2024 Olympics suggests her intent to prepare for the upcoming Games scheduled for Paris next year. It has been reported that Simone Biles is also training with the intention of participating in the competition.
What do you think about Gabby making a comeback? Let me know in the comments below!
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Fharnell M.
