“Actual Beast”: Struggling Gabby Douglas Finds Support in Gymnastics Icon Shawn Johnson As Paris Olympics Nears

Gabby Douglas’ anticipated return to the gymnastics scene after almost 8 years during the U.S. Classic was unfortunately cut short after she withdrew following the first event on Saturday night, May 19th. Despite no official reason being provided, observers noted that she struggled on the uneven bars, faltering twice, which led her to withdraw. Nevertheless, her resilience and determination have been lauded by fellow gymnasts and fans alike, including former Olympic gold medalist Shawn Johnson, who expressed admiration for Douglas’ tenacity in a recent social media post.

In a heartfelt tribute shared on X, Shawn Johnson, known for her formidable skills on the balance beam, underscored Douglas’ remarkable comeback journey, applauding her strength and perseverance in reclaiming her position in the sport.  As she says, “She has come back into the sport, and she looks like an actual beast of an athlete. She looks stronger than she has ever looked, and watching her in warm-ups and seeing her get ready to compete, she looks amazing.”

Following a disappointing outing at the recent U.S. Classic, Johnson commended Douglas for her unwavering resolve, recognizing the challenges athletes confront in today’s digital age, where scrutiny and criticism abound on social media platforms. Despite a few missteps during the competition, Johnson emphasized the significance of acknowledging the tremendous effort and dedication athletes like Douglas invest in their craft. She urged against succumbing to the negativity propagated by online detractors, highlighting the importance of supporting and uplifting athletes in their journey.

As she puts it, “I just wanna say there are trolls all over the Internet who are salivating at the opportunity to jump on things like this and tear someone apart, but all I wanted to do was say I give so much respect to her, and I cannot imagine competing in today’s world filled with so much social media and extra voices and stress. I don’t know how athletes deal.” However, her journey since making a comeback has been fraught with challenges.

Gabby Douglas- Overcoming obstacles in her comeback journey

The 2012 Olympic champion, striving to make a comeback in the Paris Olympics after eight years, endeavored to secure a spot in the all-around competition at the upcoming national championships. While she has already clinched qualification for three events—vault, balance beam, and bars—she needed to achieve a score of 51 or above to participate in all four events.  In 2016, Gabby Douglas took a break from gymnastics. She was supposed to make a comeback during the Winter Cup in February 2024. However, her hopes were dashed when a COVID-19 diagnosis forced her to withdraw from the event.

Nevertheless, her journey to redemption encountered another obstacle in April when she didn’t receive an invitation to compete in the April national team camp meet. Undeterred, Gabby persevered, and by the end of April, she made her triumphant return to competitive gymnastics at the American Classic in Katy, Texas. As she continues her comeback journey, it will be intriguing to witness her next moves on the gymnastics stage.