2012 Olympic all-around champion Gabby Douglas has withdrawn from the 2024 Core Hydration Classic after completing the first rotation.
2012 Olympic all-around champion Gabby Douglas has withdrawn from the 2024 Core Hydration Classic after completing the first rotation.
Douglas, 26, was making her first appearance at a major gymnastics competition since the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where she finished ninth in the all-around. She had been training for the past year in hopes of making a comeback to the sport.
"It was a tough decision to make," Douglas said in a statement. "I've been working really hard for the past year, but I'm not quite ready to compete at the highest level yet."
Douglas added that she is still committed to her training and hopes to return to competition in the future.
"I'm not giving up on my dream of competing in the Olympics again," she said. "I know I have a lot of work to do, but I'm confident that I can get there."
Douglas' withdrawal is a blow to the Core Hydration Classic, which is one of the most prestigious gymnastics competitions in the world. Douglas is one of the most popular and recognizable gymnasts in the United States, and her presence would have drawn a large crowd.
However, Douglas' withdrawal is also understandable. She has been through a lot in recent years, including a public divorce and the death of her father. She is still working her way back to being in peak physical condition, and she may not have been ready to compete at the level required to win a medal.
Douglas' withdrawal is a reminder that even the best athletes in the world have to deal with injuries and setbacks. It is also a reminder that the road to success is often long and winding. Douglas is a talented gymnast with a lot of potential, and she should not be discouraged by this setback. She has the talent and the determination to achieve her goals, and she will undoubtedly be back stronger than ever soon.
Here are some additional facts about Gabby Douglas:
* She was born on December 31, 1995, in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
* She began gymnastics at the age of three.
* She won the all-around gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics.
* She is the first African-American woman to win the Olympic all-around title.
* She is also a two-time world champion.
* She retired from gymnastics in 2016 but returned to training in 2021.
* She is married to Chris Phillips, a former Olympic swimmer.
