The Core Hydration Classic 2024 was a tough one for Gabby Douglas. She fell twice on the uneven bars and later pulled out from the remaining events. This raised several questions if the 28-year-old was really ready for the Paris Olympics. While her comeback disappointed many, the gymnast is ready to re-write the story of her return. She will compete once again!

She will take a leap of faith at the 2024 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships in an attempt to boost her chances for the Paris Olympics. And her fans couldn’t be any happier! Just months after the Olympic champion announced her much-anticipated comeback to elite gymnastics following an extended hiatus, she is poised to take center stage yet again at the prestigious national event unfolding in Dickies Arena, Fort Worth, Texas from May 30 to June 2.

The news of Douglas taking part in Xfinity came to light when USA Gymnastics shared an X post announcing a decision taken by the committee due to the large number of senior female participants. USA Gymnastics stated, “Due to an impressive and talented number of Senior Women competing at the 2024 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships, the Senior Women will be split between two sessions on both days of women’s competition at #XfinityChamps.”

Renowned and up-and-coming gymnasts will be present at the split sessions. Junior and senior competitors, including Isabella Anzola, Harlow Buddendeck, and Ally Damelio, are scheduled to compete in the first session. Senior gymnasts including A-listers like Simone Biles, Jade Carey, and Gabby Douglas are the subject of the second session.

While anticipation was high for Douglas’s Olympic season this year after staying away from gymnastics for eight years following success in Rio, her abrupt end in the U.S. Classic was a cause for concern. In an attempt to return to the Paris Olympics, the 2012 Olympic champion worked to earn a spot in the all-around category. But with her 10.100 points on the uneven bars, it looked difficult. So, the 2024 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships will give her an opportunity to flip the story. However, it will be important for her to prove her skills this time.

Gabby Douglas finds support amongst her “relieved” fans!

Following the post on X as well as Douglas’s name being mentioned on Xfinity’s official website, fans expressed their happiness. They want to see the gymnast return with her A-game. One fan wrote, “Relieved to see Gabby still on the list.” This response demonstrates the depth of emotion and backing that people have for Douglas throughout her comeback.

Few supporters were “scared” and wondering if Douglas would be on the list or not, where one such tweet from a user reads, “Gabby still on the list… who else was scared?! 😭”. There has been excitement and hardship surrounding Gabby Douglas’s return to gymnastics.

A fan commented, “Great, now let Gabby compete on Floor.” This could be a reference to the gymnast’s 2012 Olympics. Russia’s Viktoria Komova was seen as the biggest competition to Douglas. While their skills were on similar levels, the Russian outclassed the American on the uneven bars. But the floor routine is where people thought Douglas had an edge. And in the Individual All-Round Women, the American gymnast walked away with a gold medal. Douglas- 62.232 points and Komova- 61.973 points.

But coming back to the discussion at hand, Douglas’ inability to petition for the all-around event is a source of disappointment for the gymnastics world. One user wrote, “Objectively, how could they manage that fairly? Her floor at Am Classics was 11.45. She had the opportunity to show a good floor at Core and instead withdrew. Other gymnasts didn’t qualify AA and scored higher than Gabby on their nonqualified events. How would you work it out?”

These remarks are a reflection of the ongoing discussion regarding the gymnast. However, athletes who earn points at a Classic aren’t able to petition, considering the Elite Program Chapter 9, point A.1. Fans have voiced their disapproval of this regulation and demanded modifications.