Why isn’t Gabby Douglas representing Team USA in gymnastics at 2024 Paris Olympics?

It’s been eight years since Gabby Douglas last represented the United States at an Olympics and sadly, it now seems she won’t do so again after officially withdrawing from the U.S. Gymnastics Championships in Fort Worth, Texas this weekend.

Gabby Douglas ends bid for Paris 2024

According to reports on Wednesday, three-time Olympic gold medalist, Gabby Douglas, has withdrawn from the U.S. gymnastics championships in Texas due to an ankle injury. Douglas of course was attempting to secure her place on the team for the 2024 Paris Olympics, but with this setback now seems certain to be staying home this summer. At 28 years old, Douglas would have been the oldest American woman to compete at the Olympics since 1952 had she made the team.

Naturally, there was disappointment but conversely, the Virginia native made it clear that she was incredibly proud of her effort to participate in what would have been a sensational return to the Olympic games. “I love this sport and I love pushing my limits,” Douglas said in an interview with 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.”

While this is not the way she would’ve wanted her career to go, it’s worth noting that Douglas has more than established herself as one of the world’s best following a journey that has seen her win a whole lot of gold medals. Fans will of course remember the way in which she came to the fore during the 2012 London Olympics, when she became the first African-American to win gold in the individual all-around competition.

That wasn’t all she did either as she also went on to clinch gold in the team event that year as well. Her last appearance at the summer games was in 2016 when she took home yet another gold in the team event. In total, she has won three Olympic gold medals along with two gold and one silver at the World Championships.