Gabby Douglas, three-time Olympic champion, disappointed as her gymnastics comeback is derailed by positive Covid-19 test

Unforeseen Setback for Olympic Champion Gabby Douglas

Amidst eager anticipation, three-time Olympic gold medalist Gabby Douglas faced an unexpected hurdle on her path back to competitive gymnastics. The seasoned athlete’s return after nearly eight years was abruptly put on hold as she tested positive for Covid-19, casting a shadow over her much-awaited comeback.

Douglas had been gearing up to showcase her prowess at the Winter Cup in Kentucky this weekend. However, fate dealt a cruel blow when she took to social media to share the unfortunate news of her positive test result and subsequent withdrawal from the competition.

In a heartfelt Instagram post, Douglas expressed her disappointment: “I’m so sad to say that I won’t be competing this weekend. I was so excited to get back out on the competition floor, but unfortunately, I just tested positive for Covid.”

The 28-year-old gymnast rose to fame with two gold medals at the 2012 Olympics and added another team gold in Rio de Janeiro four years later. Despite these accolades, Douglas openly acknowledged her dissatisfaction with her performance in Rio and harbored a desire not to conclude her career on that note.

Following the 2016 Games, she retreated from public eye and embarked on a period of introspection away from social media platforms. Last July marked a turning point as Douglas hinted at staging a triumphant return, emphasizing the arduous journey ahead while expressing gratitude for rekindling her passion for gymnastics.

Setbacks notwithstanding, Douglas was primed to compete across multiple disciplines – beam, floor exercises, and vault – signaling not just personal redemption but also paving the way towards Paris 2024 alongside fellow athletes aiming for glory.