Gabby Douglas has announced that she will return to gymnastics after not competing since the 2016 Olympics.
The three-time Olympic gold medalist, 27, announced her return in a social media post on Thursday.
Hi guys, long time no post. As everyone knows, I moved away from social media and in that time journaled a lot, reflected, searched my soul, and found myself where it all began,” the upload, with two balance beam action shots, in its Instagram. profile reading.
‘It is so easy to suppress and run away from facing darkness and fears for many years. I had a pain in my heart, but I did not want to continue carrying anger, pain, sadness or regret and through my tears and pain, I found peace.
‘I wanted to rediscover the joy of the sport that I love to do.
Gabby Douglas has announced that she will return to gymnastics after seven years.
The three-time Olympic gold medalist, 27, announced his return in a social media post on Thursday.
The athlete was the first African American to become the individual Olympic champion.
I know I have a big task ahead of me and I am beyond grateful and excited to be back on the court and even more grateful for all your support and love.
‘It really means a lot. There’s a lot to say, but for now… let’s do this #2024.’
Douglas was one of hundreds of gymnasts who were sexually abused by Larry Nassar, a former USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University physician.
The athlete, who was the first African American to become the all-time Olympic individual champion, faced intense scrutiny on social media.
She was infamously bullied for her hair, her facial expressions while looking at her teammates, and for not touching her heart during the national anthem at the 2016 Olympics.
She revealed last summer that she was taking a break from social media to focus on her mental health, just days after she alluded to the abuse she suffered at the hands of Nassar while training for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Douglas has never officially stated that she has retired from gymnastics, but she has not competed since the 2016 Olympics.
In 2017, she shared publicly that she was one of Nassar’s victims after being accused of shaming her Final Five teammate Aly Raisman, who was also abused by the disgraced doctor.
The backlash came after she responded to a lengthy post by Raisman about shaming victims following allegations about Nassar’s abuse.
“Just because a woman does a sexy photo shoot or wears a sexy outfit doesn’t give a man the right to shame her or disbelieve her when she talks about sexual assault,” she wrote.
Douglas has never officially stated that he has retired, but he has not competed since 2016.
Douglas then responded, “However, it is our responsibility as women to dress modestly and be classy.” Dressing provocatively/sexually attracts the wrong people.’
His teammate Simone Biles criticized Douglas for his irresponsible comments amid the abuse scandal.
“I’m surprised I’m seeing this but I’m not surprised…honestly watching this brings me to tears because as your teammate I expected more from you and for you to support her,” Biles wrote.
Douglas then deleted the offending tweet and quickly sent out an apology: “I did not word my response correctly and I am deeply sorry for giving the impression that I am not standing by my teammates,” he said.
‘Regardless of what you wear, abuse under any circumstances is never acceptable. I am with you. #me too’
Douglas then came forward to say that she too was one of Nassar’s victims.
The three-time Olympic gold medalist pictured with her teammates from the Final Five at Rio 2016
“I did not publicly share my experiences and many other things because for years we have been conditioned to remain silent and honestly some things were extremely painful,” he wrote in the social media statement.
“It would be like saying that because of the leotards we wore, it was our fault that Larry Nassar abused us.”
She then shared her support for Raisman, as well as her Fierce Five teammate McKayla Maroney, who also shared that she was a victim.
“I didn’t view my comments as a victim shaming because I know that no matter what you wear, it NEVER gives anyone the right to harass or abuse you,” she added. “I wholeheartedly support my teammates for speaking out about what happened to them.”
