Gabby Douglas, a three-time gold medalist in gymnastics, recently staged a comeback at the American Classic in Katy, Texas, successfully qualifying for the U.S. Championships. Although she finished 10th in the all-around, Douglas excelled on the vault and the balance beam, earning her a spot in those events at the national competition. Despite not impacting her chances of making the Paris Olympics team directly, her performance at the American Classic served as a crucial stepping stone and demonstrated her progress during this comeback journey.
Douglas encountered a shaky start at the American Classic, with a misstep on the floor exercise, but redeemed herself on the vault with an impressive score. While she still has room for improvement on the uneven bars, her signature event, Douglas delivered a strong performance on the balance beam to secure her qualification to the U.S. Championships. At 28, she was the oldest athlete on the competition floor, showcasing her perseverance and determination in pursuing her Olympic dreams.
Initially planning to return at the Winter Cup in February, Douglas faced an obstacle when she tested positive for Covid and had to withdraw from the competition. Despite setbacks, she remained determined to make a comeback, announcing her intention to return to the Olympics earlier this year. With her previous accolades, including making history as the first Black gymnast to win the Olympic all-around gold medal in 2012, Douglas continues to inspire with her resilience and drive to compete at the highest level.
Reigning Olympic all-around gold medalist Suni Lee also competed at the American Classic, showcasing her skills on the balance beam and the vault. Lee, who has faced challenges due to kidney issues, delivered solid routines and qualified for the U.S. Championships. Like Douglas, Lee may need to petition to compete in the all-around at the national competition, emphasizing the competitive field in women’s gymnastics as they vie for spots on the U.S. Olympic team.
The competition at the American Classic offered redemption for Lee, who had a disappointing performance at the Winter Cup earlier in the season. With cleaner routines at the event, Lee demonstrated her potential despite potentially lacking full difficulty in her routines. Both Douglas and Lee are on the road to Paris qualification, with the Core Hydration Classic as the next stop on their journey towards securing a spot on the U.S. Olympic team.
As Douglas aims to become the first American woman since Dominique Dawes to make three Olympic teams, she faces competition from the likes of Simone Biles, her former teammate who is also eyeing a spot on her third Olympic team. With the U.S. Championships approaching and the opportunity to compete in Paris on the horizon, Douglas, Lee, and other gymnasts continue to push themselves to reach new heights and represent their country on the international stage.
