After an eight-year hiatus from competitive gymnastics, Gabby Douglas made a comeback at the American Classic in Katy, Texas, recently. While she finished 10th in the all-around, her scores on the vault and the balance beam qualified her to compete in those two events at the U.S. Championships. However, she will need to file a petition in order to compete in all four events at nationals. Douglas faced some challenges during the competition, including struggles on the uneven bars. Still, her performance shows promise and progress as she aims to compete in the Olympic Games in Paris this summer.
Jade Carey, the reigning Olympic gold medalist in the floor exercise, won the all-around competition at the American Classic. While the event itself may not have a direct impact on Douglas’ chances of making the Paris team, her performance was an important step in her comeback journey. Despite a shaky start on the floor exercise, Douglas impressed with her vault routine, scoring a 14.000. However, she will need to further refine her skills, particularly on the uneven bars, in order to compete at the highest level.
At 28 years old, Douglas was the oldest athlete competing at the American Classic. She had initially planned to return to competitive gymnastics at the Winter Cup in February, but had to withdraw due to a positive Covid test. Douglas announced her intention to return to the Olympics earlier this year, after skipping the most recent Games in Tokyo. Her past accomplishments include winning the Olympic all-around gold medal in 2012 and contributing to the U.S. women’s team gold in 2016. By aiming for a spot on the Paris team, Douglas is seeking to make history once again.
Suni Lee, the reigning Olympic all-around gold medalist, also competed at the American Classic. Lee, who has been dealing with kidney issues, delivered solid performances on the balance beam and the vault. While her routines may have lacked full difficulty, they were cleaner compared to her earlier competition at the Winter Cup. Lee’s performance was enough to qualify her for the U.S. Championships, where she will aim to secure a spot on the Paris team. Both Lee and Douglas will need to petition to compete in the all-around.
The next step on the road to Olympic qualification is the Core Hydration Classic, scheduled for May 17 and 18 in Hartford, Connecticut. If Douglas is selected for the U.S. Olympic team, she will be the first American woman since Dominique Dawes to make three Olympic teams. Simone Biles, Douglas’ former teammate, is also eyeing her third Olympic appearance. The gymnasts representing the U.S. in Paris will be chosen at the Olympic trials in Minneapolis at the end of June, following the U.S. Championships where the athletes will compete for their spots. The journey to the Olympic Games in Paris continues for these gymnasts as they strive to showcase their skills and secure a place on the prestigious team.
