Looking Back at Gabby Douglas’ Last Performance Before an Eight-Year Break

Gabby Douglas’ performance in the 2016 Rio Olympics played a pivotal role, contributing to the US Team’s gold win in the all-around event. Her standout performance on the uneven bars was instrumental. While she qualified in the individual events like uneven bars, vaults, and floor routines, she fell short of winning medals. Although she never officially announced her retirement, the 2012 Olympic champion was absent from the gymnastic mat for eight long years.

Seems she has an answer. “I didn’t want to end this sport like I did in 2016. I wanted to take a step back and work on myself and my mental state”, Douglas explains. The 28-year-old is all set for her comeback at Winter Cup 2024. But how did she fare the last time she took on the mat?

How did Gabby Douglas perform in her last routine?

It was a fairy tale story for Gabby Douglas until the 2016 Olympics unfolded before her. She had become a global sensation after becoming the first African American gymnast to win the Olympics all-around title at the 2012 Games. Douglas failed to win a medal in the uneven bars at the Rio Olympics. It would mark the last performance of Douglas, who will now be seen at the Winter Cup 2024.

Douglas finished seventh with a score of 15.066. Her performance was largely marred by an error on her first handstand. She ended her campaign as the only U. S gymnast not to win an individual medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics. But the 28-year-old is back now with a refreshing energy. “I wanted to find the joy again for the sport“, she had said once, and as she is joyous about a comeback, awaiting her is Suni Lee.

Douglas looks forward to face Suni Lee

As Gabby Douglas returns from the eight-year hiatus, her first faceoff with big names is in the beam competition at the Winter Cup 2024. The event is scheduled from 23 February to 25 February, and both gymnasts will be making their comeback as Lee returns for the first time after the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

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Lee had stepped back after winning the all-around event at the Tokyo Olympics due to a kidney-related issue and will now compete against Douglas in the beam event. While she will also be seen in uneven bars, Douglas will perform the floor and vault routines. It sets for an exciting clash at the 2024 Winter Cup, or at least a thrilling comeback battle.