Is Gabby Douglas’ Olympic Dream Over? Gymnastics World Shaken As She Misses Another Comeback Chance

Last summer, at the age of 28, Gabby Douglas made headlines when she declared her intention to vie for a spot in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, marking a bold return to the sport after an absence of nearly eight years. However, her journey encountered a setback when she missed February’s Winter Cup due to contracting COVID-19, delaying her much-anticipated comeback to competitive gymnastics. Despite the setback, anticipation remained high for her potential inclusion in the upcoming national team camp slated for April 1-4 in Katy, Texas.

This week, USA Gymnastics revealed the roster for the camp, but to the surprise and disappointment of many fans, the names Gabby Douglas and Suni Lee were conspicuously absent. However, the absence of Douglas’s name from the roster left fans puzzled and stirred speculation about the future trajectory of her competitive career.

Gabby Douglas’s absence leaves a lacuna unlike anything seen before for fans

Earlier this month, coach Anna Liukin had hinted at Douglas’s eagerness for an invitation to the April camp, where the plan was to showcase her prowess across all four gymnastic events. However, USA Gymnastics recently announced a development regarding the selection process at the women’s artistic National Team Camp in Katy, Texas, where more than 30 talented athletes are slated to demonstrate their skills during verification routines on April 2. This event serves as a crucial platform for these athletes as they compete for coveted positions on the national team.

In the aftermath of the camp, a maximum of 18 exceptional gymnasts will earn the opportunity to represent the United States at two highly esteemed international competitions: the Pacific Rim Championships in Cali, Colombia, and the City of Jesolo Trophy in Jesolo, Italy, both scheduled for April 21-28.

Among the distinguished participants are acclaimed gymnasts such as Simone Biles, Skye Blakely, Jordan Chiles, Kayla DiCello, and Trinity Thomas, among others. However, the absence of Gabby Douglas has raised a question, particularly within online communities. Reddit users, in particular, have voiced their discontent, dissent and raised questions about this decision.

Community reactions to Douglas’s absence from the April Camp invitation

Amidst the flurry of reactions, several comments have stood out. One Reddit user voiced concern, remarking, “I’m starting to wonder if we’re even going to see Gabby this year.” Another commenter expressed confusion regarding the selection process, stating, “Weird. So Gabby’s only chance to qualify for this camp was Winter Cup? Did WOGA not know that when they said she was aiming to attend this camp?”

Amidst the uncertainty, One user expressed a desire for clarity from official sources, with one stating, “Ima wait for either Gabby to say something or an official list of attendees to be put out at this point. Trying to keep up with unofficial news at this point is just going in circles.“ One X user stated, “This is disappointing. She was ready to compete before and just got COVID, she should have gotten an invite at least.”

Another expressed incredulity, saying, “That’s absolutely so unfair! Gabby is the ONE AND ONLY back to back Olympic champion they have in activity atm and she doesn’t even have the right to get an invitation to a f**king camping? Be fr, that’s a complete joke.” These comments highlight a sense of injustice and disappointment among fans regarding Douglas’s exclusion from the camp.

Read More: Struggling for Comeback After COVID, Gabby Douglas Finally Announces Her Season Debut Before Paris Olympics