“Disrespectful to Both Simone (Biles) and Gabby (Douglas)”: Gymternet Left in Splits Over Rising Team USA Rivalry

The upcoming Paris Olympics hold immense significance for athletes worldwide, representing the pinnacle of their careers and the culmination of rigorous training. With stringent qualification standards and fierce competition, athletes secure a coveted spot at the Games. Among those eagerly anticipated are the United States Women’s Gymnastics team, renowned for its past Olympic successes and consistently high-performance expectations. Among the standout gymnasts include Simone Biles and Gabby Douglas.

The latest wave of excitement began when tweets and comments surfaced, hinting at tension between the two decorated gymnasts. A tweet by Simone Biles from last April, seemingly poking fun at Gabby Douglas, came to the limelight after fans tweeted about the case of mistaken identity.

Exploring the discourse surrounding Gabby Douglas’s return

Gabby Douglas made headlines last July when she announced her comeback to the gymnastics scene, setting her sights on a potential bid for the 2024 Olympics. However, even after a year has passed, the conversation surrounding her return remains fervent. Recently, a post on platform X ignited discussion when a fan wrote, “Well, being misidentified as Gabby is disrespectful to both Simone AND Gabby.“ The post addressed the issue of misidentification, noting the disrespect it entails for both Gabby Douglas and Simone Biles.

This discourse stemmed from a conversation initiated by users on platform X, who remarked on Simone Biles’ tweet from last April, where she casually mentioned the ongoing confusion between herself and Gabby Douglas. As the user wrote, “She was tweeting something offhanded about Gabby last April talking about how folks still calling her Gabby Douglas.” The ensuing dialogue shed light on the nuances of perception and communication in the realm of social media, prompting reflections on accountability and empathy.

The discourse further unfolded as users delved into the dynamics between Simone and Gabby, exploring past interactions and public statements. One user pointed out Gabby’s response to Aly Raisman’s tweet about sexual assault, characterizing it as “victim shame-esque” and suggesting it may have strained relations between Simone and Gabby.

This observation prompted reflections on the complexities of navigating social media, acknowledging that everyone, including high-profile athletes like Simone and Gabby, is prone to “messy moments.” Amidst these discussions, users emphasized the importance of nuanced understanding, highlighting instances where assumptions and misinterpretations can perpetuate misunderstandings and undermine solidarity within the gymnastics community. It’s worth noting that Gabby Douglas has left the gym where she used to train since 2022.

Gabby leaves WOGA Gymnastics

Gabby Douglas has departed from WOGA Gymnastics, ending her training under coaches Anna and Valeri Liukin. The change comes as Douglas was preparing to return to competitive gymnastics; she had recently withdrawn from the Winter Cup after a positive COVID-19 test.

Read More: ‘My Daughter Is Becoming Stagnant’: Gabby Douglas’ Mother Once Lashed Out at the Gymnast’s Then-Trainer to Spur Improvement

However, Douglas has now recovered and is ready to secure a qualifying spot in the Paris Olympics. Now the question arises: which gym is she currently training in? This adds another layer to the story.

Read More: What Has Gabby Douglas Been Up to Since the Rio Olympics in 2016?