“Burn the Bars”: Gabby Douglas’ Shameful Score Has Gymnastics Community Fuming at Core Hydration Classic

Gabby Douglas is not having a good day at the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut. After facing a weather scare yesterday, the 2012 Olympic all-around champion faced a complicated situation today that might hinder her from advancing to the podium. As an update predicts that Gabby now needs 13.633 on average from the rest of her gymnastic routine in the ongoing Core Hydration Classic contest.

According to the post, the score might lift her to the leaderboard. However, such a disappointing situation came after her 10.100 score on the uneven bars. That score left her nowhere in the race. But in a critical situation, the 28-year-old gymnast has received firm support from her fans. 

In their venting of high emotions, several fans have taken the resort to strong words. However, in that crowd, the gymnastic raconteur, Scott Bregman, has proposed to “burn the bars.” Eventually, the bar routine dissipated Gabby Douglas’ chance to get a score of 51.000, a mark that keeps the chance of appearing in the nationals. Therefore, Gabby Douglas might end up losing her ticket to appear in the Xfinity US Gymnastics Championships. But what made the 2012 Olympic all-around champion eat the dust in an event that once made her popular? 

Gabby Douglas’ low score in the bar routine came after her double falls in the event. That ultimately led to a hefty penalty on the score. On the other hand, her confidence may also have stumbled. Facing multiple whammies, a comeback was hard to achieve. She faced a similar situation a few weeks back. After breaking the 8-year hiatus, Gabby Douglas stepped into the 2024 American Classic announcing her return. But the same bar routine stood in her way, blocking further chances to touch the benchmark score of 51.000. This time, the fans did not take much time to take up the matter. 

Gabby Douglas’ bad day out riles up her fans

When Scott Bregman demanded to fire the bars, the X-handle, Mel took a calmer way to call the odd as odd. In the deliberation, the X-handle posted, “These bars are a mess.” The comment could not have been more relevant looking at the number of debacles that took place on the bars. The routine saw Konnor McClain and Kayla DiCello having falls as well. Amid that, some fans pointed toward the rough patch Gabby Douglas has been having since her return to the gymnastic mat.

At first in the American Classic, she couldn’t come near the topper Jade Carey’s score. Today, at the Core Hydration Classic as well, her rough patch followed, tossing her chances when other Olympians continued to shine. Blaming that part, the X-handle, Taylor said, “I have NEVER seen a 10 score as a below average score. I feel so bad for Gabby Douglas. I think Gabby’s road to Paris is now not looking good.” The argument is quite understandable since this event was a stepping stone for the Olympic road that will now touch the Xfinity US Championships and the US Olympic qualifiers. Another argument also came up in the meantime.

Some fans took a dig at the scoring as well. One questioned, “…WHY DID SUNI LEE GET A 13 EVEN??? WHO IS SCORING THESE EVENTS?” However several users simultaneously pointed out Gabby’s lack of finesse in her routine. “Gabby Douglas’ bar routine was not pretty…..at all” argued an X-handle, named @GladiatorInNike. But the entire debacle raises a question.

Gabby wanted to end her career on a high note, like a champion she has been. This is definitely not the ideal ending the WOGA trainee has been looking for. So will she still take on the mat or bow out from here? The X-handle, Jason seemed to disapprove of that penning a “Nooooooooo”. But the reality has remained tough to accept. It remains to be seen what Gabby’s future holds for her from here.