Opinion: Gabby Douglas' return to gymnastics could potentially be her most breathtaking feat.
While being a top gymnast myself during a time when I was one of the few Black athletes in any competition, I was overjoyed to witness the happiness and greatness of a young Black girl excelling in the sport. But my excitement was quickly shattered when I heard racists and sexist critics trying to undermine her remarkable performance and unmatched success with their demeaning remarks and unfair judgments about her looks.
This reminded me of the hate Douglas faced throughout her journey in the world of gymnastics. Douglas has spoken openly about the impact of the hateful remarks from the media, and her decision to move away from the public eye to focus on her mental health.
Her harrowing past was the reason why I, along with many other gymnastics enthusiasts, cheered for Gabby Douglas when she declared her intention to come back to elite gymnastics.
I eagerly engaged with the countless articles and news reports displaying the quality of her skills and the progress she made during recent training exercises and competitions. This was inspiring — truly unbelievable.
Had she successfully returned to the national gymnastics team and competed in the Olympics, her achievement would have been unprecedented in our sport. For gymnastics fans, especially die-hard Gabby fans, the news of her deciding not to participate in this weekend's Xfinity Gymnastics Championships and ending her dream of a third Olympic Games was heartbreaking, even if it wasn't completely unexpected.
Gymnastics is a highly demanding sport, physically and mentally. The combination of strength, power, flexibility, endurance, grace, and speed needed to excel on four distinct apparatuses is a product of repetition, consistency, and precision. The ability to make the US Olympic team or not, Douglas's effort to return to elite status was an extraordinary goal that I will always celebrate without apology.
With a lifetime of accomplishments under her belt — including winning three Olympic gold medals and being the first Black woman to capture the individual all-around title at the Olympic Games in London — she returned to compete in Rio de Janeiro's 2016 games, becoming the first Olympic all-around gold medalist to successfully return to the Olympics. Here, she won yet another gold medal, solidifying her place in sports history as a superstar.
However, Douglas has been away from gymnastics for eight years, which is a significant period in a sport that continually evolves and changes rapidly. If she had made the team, she would have been the oldest American woman to compete in gymnastics at the Olympics since 1952.
In contrast to some sports, where the level of play or pace may shift, but the rules and skills remain the same, in gymnastics, the skills, rules, and points undergo a complete overhaul every Olympic cycle. Certain skills scored with high difficulty in 2012 no longer garner many, if any, bonus points in 2024. In fact, according to the current Code of Points, her 2012 Olympic-winning routine is worth significantly fewer points than in 2012.
There are also the undeniable realities of physical changes that come with age. It's not just about regaining conditioning or getting back into shape. As gymnasts age, they frequently need to re-learn the skills of their sport — and this can be particularly challenging after a long absence.
Kyla Ross is a prime example of this. Ross, a teammate of Douglas in London, intended to return four years later but found that the physical changes her body underwent between the ages of 15 to 19 made a comeback at the elite level too difficult. Puberty had led to a bodily transformation — compounded by the challenge of having taken a significant amount of time away.
Attempts to return to competition include re-adjusting how equipment is set up, re-learning old skills, and learning new skills to adapt to a transformed body. Ultimately, Ross opted to abandon her bid for an Olympic comeback.
The desire to grasp previous athletic dominance is common among athletes, with many pursuing a return to the top. Several gymnasts participating in nationals this year are veterans on the Olympic stage.
A part of this drive could be related to the athletes' sense of identity. For a highly demanding sport like gymnastics, one's individual identity is often deeply entwined with the sport. Transitioning away from it may lead to profound feelings of loss. This isn't unique to gymnastics specifically; numerous professional and elite athletes struggle to find themselves and redefine themselves after retirement, often attempting a return to their former status.
In the world of gymnastics, the season is currently witnessing multiple Olympians making a comeback, but I believe there's an additional motivating factor driving this trend: the wish to conclude their careers on their own terms.
The unfortunate Bela Karolyi era of USA Gymnastics ultimately came to a shocking halt as the traumatic experiences they had caused were publicly shared by the gymnasts. In an article, Karolyi, who had migrated from Romania and ran a gym in Texas, was described as an "arch manipulator" who ruthlessly whittled down his top athletes until only the best two or three remained. Karolyi's famous training facility, where the sexual abuse of several gymnasts occurred, was run by him and his wife and partner in coaching, Martha.
The heinous abuse committed by Dr. Larry Nassar, disguised as medical treatment, was perpetrated at this same facility. Nassar has since been convicted and imprisoned for his crimes. The Karolyis deny any knowledge of the abuse, and Texas prosecutors stated that there was "no corroborated evidence of any criminal conduct" against them.
The toxic culture of USA Gymnastics had robbed countless gymnasts of their love for the sport, forcing them to choose between their Olympic aspirations and their mental and emotional well-being. However, certain athletes from this generation are determined to reclaim gymnastics for themselves and those who come after them.
Similar to Douglas's journey, Dominique Moceanu, a member of the legendary Magnificent Seven team, faced similar struggles. In the public eye, Moceanu was cherished by the Karolyis, but privately, she has spoken out about the abuse she endured under their control.
Moceanu shared her story in her memoir Off Balance. She depicts how she distanced herself from the sport and discovered her own identity, rekindling her love for gymnastics on her own terms. Moceanu then attempted to qualify for the 2000 Olympics, but despite her efforts, she didn't make the cut. However, she detailed the inspiring journey of honing her skills as an adult and proving to herself and the world that she could still perform at an elite level.
It's possible that many gymnasts returning to the elite stage following college and retirement are not only reclaiming their identities developed during their years of dedication to their beloved sport but also mending their identities and healing their younger selves - the enthusiastic, aspiring gymnasts who pursued their dreams unreservedly.
While it may not fully apply to Douglas, who was also trained by the Karolyis, she appeared drained and disheartened after a few underwhelming performances during her second Olympics.
Despite experiencing difficulties, Douglas faced the press with determination at the 2016 Rio Olympics press conference, saying, "When you go through a lot and face challenges, it dictates your character. Are you going to stand or crumble? I chose to stand."
This week's gymnastics championships will see me cheering for Simone Biles, who has an incredible comeback story of her own, as she paves the way to the Paris Olympics this summer.
And I'll be supporting her remarkable teammates, many of whom are gymnasts of color, as gymnastics is finally coming into its own, showcasing the talents of a diverse group of athletes. In my view, this shift was initiated only when USA Gymnastics started appreciating diversity.
Yet, Douglas, a brave and talented gymnast who won't be competing in Paris, has demonstrated the tenacity required to pursue a seemingly unattainable objective.
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Despite the negative opinions and criticism she faced, Gabby Douglas' determination to return to elite gymnastics was commendable. However, the harsh comments and unfair judgments about her appearance and performance continued to affect her mentally.
Gymnastics enthusiasts, including myself, were disappointed when Gabriel Douglas announced she wouldn't participate in the Xfinity Gymnastics Championships, ending her dream of a third Olympic Games. Despite the challenges, Douglas' efforts to return to elite status were a testament to her resilience and unwavering love for the sport.
