Gabby Douglas‘ long-shot endeavor to make the USA’s women’s gymnastics team for the Paris Olympics has ended. The three-time Olympic gold medalist has not competed in an international game since her appearance at the 2016 Olympics. She was hoping to return this summer to the Paris Games but an ankle injury derailed her much-anticipated presence at the 2024 Olympic Games.

If 28-year-old Douglas had competed this year, she would have become the oldest American female gymnast. The baton now passed onto gymnastics legend Simone Biles. USA Gymnastics has not had a gymnast of that age or older since 1952 when five members of the team were at least 28. Biles, who has a record 37 World and Olympic medals, is ready to return to the Olympics for a triumphant third time aged 27. Meanwhile, Douglas’ Olympic ambition is not over, as she has announced her intention to continue training.

What happened to Gabby Douglas?

The 2012 Olympic all-around champion pulled out of the USA Gymnastics Championships on Wednesday after getting injured while training for this weekend’s US Championship in Fort Worth, Texas. Douglas, who was born on December 31, 1995, was on track to become the oldest gymnast on the senior women’s gymnastics team. Now Simone Biles holds the titles of oldest senior all-around and “oldest athlete entered” at the 2024 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships reported USA Gym. Douglas’ absence will reduce the gymnasts’ attendance at the United States Championships to 41.

Douglas returned from an eight-year break at the American Classic last month, and she competed in her first major Olympic season meet two weeks ago at the U.S. Classic in Hartford, Connecticut. Although, she underperformed and fell twice on the uneven bars at the U.S. Championships, and barely finished her routine as the crowd cheered her name. She withdrew from the rest of the competition because of her ankle issue.

The first Black woman to win an Olympic title, qualified for three events but did not earn the required minimum score for the all-around. Additionally, it would have been challenging for Douglas to heal from an ankle injury in time for the U.S. Olympic gymnastics trials in late June. As a result, it makes more sense for her to pull out of the roster and allow herself to fully recover Douglas may not have been able to join Team USA this season, but still hasn’t abandoned her future Olympics plans.

Lookout for the veteran gymnast’s next Games visit

Gabby Douglas is already looking forward to competing in her next major gymnastics competition, the 2028 Olympics. Douglas told ESPN, “I proved to myself and to the sport that my skills remain at an elite level” further affirmed, “I’m planning to continue my training for the LA 2028 Olympics. It would be an immense honor to represent the United States in a home-based Olympics.” Douglas will be 32 by the 2028 Games, making it harder for her to make the team.

Even so, if Douglas maintains her form over the next four years, she may be able to qualify for Team USA, one can only hope. Simone Biles won the national all-around gold last year and is almost guaranteed a spot on the Olympic team regardless of her result this weekend. Senior ladies will compete in the United States Championships on Friday and Sunday at Dickies Arena, Texas.