An ankle injury has halted Gabby Douglas‘ 18-month-long quest to return to the Olympics, but the gymnast is not ruling out competing in the 2028 Games.
The three-time Olympic gold medalist announced on Wednesday, May 29, that she has withdrawn from the U.S. Gymnastics Championships due to the injury, which she sustained during training earlier in the week.
“I love this sport and I love pushing my limits,” Douglas, 28, told ESPN. “I hope I can inspire both my peers and the next generation of gymnasts that age is just a number, and you can accomplish anything you work hard for.”
This event was Douglas’ last chance to earn an invitation to the U.S. Olympic Trials next month in Minneapolis, following her eight-year hiatus from competition since the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
“I proved to myself and to the sport that my skills remain at an elite level,” Douglas said. “My plan is to continue to train for the L.A. 2028 Olympics. It would be such an honor to represent the U.S. at a home Olympics.”
Douglas was set to be the oldest female athlete in the field in Fort Worth this weekend, where her appearance with Simone Biles and Suni Lee would have marked only the second time that three Olympic all-around gold medalists competed at the same meet.
Her return has not been without challenges. Earlier this month, she withdrew from the 2024 Core Hydration Gymnastics Classic after competing in only one event — the uneven bars — following two falls from the apparatus.
Douglas’ performance at the American Classic last month, where she earned high marks on the vault and balance beam, had qualified her to compete in the championships. However, even then, she shared on Instagram that it “wasn’t my best showing.”
“Well guys… it wasn’t my best showing this weekend but was so happy and grateful to be back out there on the floor doing what I love again,” she wrote. “With anything, there are always kinks to work out, get better, and improve. I’ve never been more excited to get back into the gym and work even harder.”
She added, “Hard days are the best because that’s when champions are made.”
Despite the setback, Douglas remains focused on her future and the possibility of competing in the 2028 Olympics.
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