Gabby Douglas Announces Gymnastics Comeback, Eyes 2024 Olympics
By Movieguide® Contributor
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 truly means so much to me,” she added. “There’s so much to be said but for now… let’s do this.”
Douglas added a 2024 hashtag at the end of the post, possibly hinting at a desire to compete in the upcoming 2024 Olympics.
The decorated gymnast won two gold medals at London 2012, including in the all-around event. She won a third gold in 2016 as a member of team USA winning squad.
Douglas marks the second major return to the sport this summer. In June, Simone Biles registered for the US Classic, her first competition since withdrawing from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics due to poor mental health.
Movieguide® previously reported:
U.S. gymnastics superstar Simone Biles is making her return to competitive gymnastics, competing at the 2023 U.S. Classic.
The 2023 U.S. Classic will mark Biles’ first competition since she withdrew from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, citing mental health issues.
The news of her return was announced by USA Gymnastics as they revealed their list of competitors for the event. The competition features an all-star list of talent that, along with Biles, includes Sunisa Lee, the 2020 all-around Olympic gold medalist and Jade Carey, the 2020 Olympic floor champion. In total, the Classic will feature 11 Olympic and World Championship medalists on the women’s side.
Douglas’ catapult to fame, as well as her faith, is included in the Movieguide® Award-nominated THE GABBY DOUGLAS STORY.
The review reads:
THE GABBY DOUGLAS STORY is an inspirational biographical movie of the perseverance of Gabby Douglas from humble beginnings to Olympic gold in gymnastics. Gabby is taking lessons with a local gymnastics coach who doesn’t train Gabby to her full potential. An opportunity Gabby calls “fate” brings Olympic coach Liang Chow to her gymnastics school. She’s all the more determined to go to Iowa to train with him. THE GABBY DOUGLAS STORY shows how Gabby’s family pulls together to overcome even greater obstacles to support Gabby’s dreams. When Gabby’s injured during training, she must choose to overcome the obstacles of her mind, body and heart to follow her dream to the 2012 Olympics.
The production quality of THE GABBY DOUGLAS STORY is good with compelling, heartfelt performances and an inspiring message of faith, sacrifice, and perseverance. The movie has a number of heartfelt moments, with only minor, light questionable elements. Overall, THE GABBY DOUGLAS STORY has a strong moral worldview supported by some overt Christian references, including a prayer. THE GABBY DOUGLAS STORY is a heartfelt, historical, inspiring movie for the whole family.
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