The Core Hydration Classic will arguably be the last big event before the Olympic Team Trials in Oregon next month. Understandably, the country’s top gymnasts are eyeing a memorable time in Connecticut over the weekend, and no one has higher stakes than Gabby Douglas. Aiming for an explosive return after eight years, the three-time Olympic gold medalist is one of the biggest names on the entry list for the event, but her chances of showing up face an unexpected obstacle.

Gabby’s recent months haven’t been all that great. Missing out on the action at the Winter Cup thanks to Covid didn’t help either. And now, as the 28-year-old faces another hurdle on her journey to Paris. On her way to Connecticut from Dallas, her flight got canceled because of a tornado. This made her fans pray for the gymnast’s future on social media platforms.

In a recent post on the Subreddit r/Gymnastics, a user uploaded a snapshot from Douglas’ Instagram story with the caption “Somebody go scoop Gabby“. In the original IG story, Gabby explained her situation: “flight got cancelled and now stuck in dallas (crying emoji) help!!!” and her worried face seems to have fans in splits as well.

At the Core Hydration Classic, Douglas is expected to face off with some tough opponents. From the country’s most decorated gymnast of all time Simone Biles to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Suni Lee, the entry list is staked with formidable figures who command the utmost respect of their fans and foes alike.

With such high stakes on the table, Gabby’s appearance at the event is all the more important, especially with the Olympian having missed out on important sessions at the national training camp earlier this year. But fans don’t see much hope about seeing the veteran in action.

Fans clamor in disappointment

One fan took to the comment section of the Reddit post to insinuate that the bigger universe isn’t in the mood to see Gabby make her triumphant return or allow a fitting end to her illustrious career. “It feels like the universe is conspiring against her at this point. I hope she’s able to figure something out quickly.“, wrote the fan, evidently distressed by Gabby’s ordeal.

One matter of concern is, that even if Gabby manages to reach the venue in the last moment, her mind might not be where it should have been before such an important competition. She might miss out on vital warm-up sessions prior to taking the stage. Pointing that, another fan wrote, “And I’m pretty sure they have early morning podium training tomorrow (8am?)“, drawing a cue from how the Olympian missed out on the training camp with some of the best talents from the country.

“Omg im so stressed” wrote Delicious-Koala3055, reflecting the emotion of thousands of other fans who have been anticipating Gabby’s routines for the first time at a competitive tournament, especially with the Paris Games only 71 days away.

However, one fan thinks it was a rookie mistake pertaining to logistics from Gabby’s end, even more so considering how bad the weather in and around Connecticut has been in recent days with the storms. “She seemingly was leaving late which doesn’t seem very smart. We knew these storms were coming for a good while,” grunted the fan in the comment section. The comment looks all the more relevant looking at the post made by Jordan Chiles’ mother Gina Chiles, another Dallas native. In an Instagram story, she informed that they set out early which made them land safely in Connecticut getting past the storm. Meanwhile, a fan reached another level of desperation by bringing in Taylor Swift’s name in the matter!

Taylor Swift’s private jets have been making news lately since several people have been pointing out the excessive amount of carbon dioxide emitted by those. But a Reddit user seemed to even overlook that environmental factor Gabby. Rather they wanted the word of Douglas’ troubles to reach Taylor Swift to get the former out of the debacle. “is taylor swift a gymnastics fan maybe she can let gabby borrow her private jet /lh,” commented the fan.

If you think Gabby’s chances of making it to the Core Hydration Classic are also in teeters, tell us your predictions about how it can affect her chances to fly to Paris for the big rumble!