Just some months later in November, she attended her first U.S. Nationwide Workforce Camp for the reason that 2016 Video games. Quietly questioning what was in retailer, Douglas reached out to former membership teammate and six-time World medalist Shilese Jones to get an concept on if or how the setting had modified.
“I used to be like, ‘Give me the lowdown! How is it?’ And he or she was like, ‘Oh man. It’s very totally different!’” Douglas mentioned. “It’s a bit bit extra chill than it was earlier than, which is nice as a result of I believe gymnastics is already a really worrying sport, so it’s positively wanted.”
The U.S. Nationwide Workforce Coaching Camps at the moment are led by 2008 Olympic Silver Medalists Chellsie Memmel and Alicia Sacramone Quinn, together with Dan Baker, who have been employed in Could 2022.
The trio have emphasised a give attention to prioritizing the athletes bodily, emotional, and psychological well-being above all else.
This ethos completely resonates with Douglas’ major comeback purpose. Though Paris 2024 is finally at the back of her thoughts, Douglas’ focus lies extra so on how she feels relatively than the outcomes. Strolling again into her first Nationwide Workforce Camp in seven years, Douglas might really feel the distinction.
“It was very totally different,” Douglas mentioned. “Very totally different from my period of gymnastics! It was bizarre, you understand, not listening to Martha [Karolyi], however it was positively good. It’s modified and I believe it’s modified for the higher.”
These optimistic adjustments have enabled Douglas to totally embrace the current second, savoring every step on this journey with real enjoyment. “My greatest purpose was to like the game that I really like doing,” Douglas mentioned. “I by no means needed to stroll away and hate one thing that I really like doing. My greatest purpose is to only go on the market and simply do the very best that I can at this level – and have extra enjoyable this time round!”
The subsequent large step for Douglas is available in Louisville, Kentucky in just some weeks. Douglas plans to make a giant assertion on the Winter Cup by competing within the All-Round. “I’m tremendous nervous to compete once more,” Douglas mentioned. “It’s been so lengthy! However I really feel like as soon as I get going, it’s going to be nice.”
From there, the sport plan consists of the U.S. Traditional, the U.S. Championships, Olympic Trials and if all goes properly, she hopes so as to add her title to an unique checklist of U.S. gymnasts who’ve competed in three Olympic Video games. Douglas — together with Simone Biles — might be a part of 1996 Olympic Gold Medalist Dominique Dawes as the one different U.S. feminine gymnasts to attain such a feat.
Douglas’ comeback not solely reinstates her into the highlight but in addition positions her uniquely to compete with two different Olympic All-Round Champions, specifically Biles and the 2021 Champ Suni Lee, for a coveted spot on the U.S. Olympic Workforce. This unprecedented situation provides an thrilling and unparalleled dimension to the game.
“Being part of that, I’m so grateful,” Douglas mentioned. “I’m so grateful to be part of one thing so large. I’m so excited to return on the market and simply take pleasure in all of it.”
No Regrets
Many athletes have a why; one thing that pulls them to the game and retains them coming again, even when occasions are robust. Generally it’s the folks they draw inspiration from (for Gabby it’s her mom, sisters and teammates) and generally it’s the hardships themselves that gasoline a want to provide it another shot and depart with no regrets.
“My why is I by no means need to have regrets,” Douglas mentioned. “And that’s why I by no means needed to announce any form of retirement or say I’m accomplished with gymnastics, though issues didn’t go properly the final Olympics. I by no means needed to give up on a foul day … if I give it my all and actually push myself and provides it every little thing I’ve obtained, then I’ll be happy and be like, ‘Okay, I can lastly relaxation.’”
Taking a step away from the game allowed Douglas’ to confront the challenges she felt prevented her from acting at her greatest in 2016. Now in 2024, there’s an interior peace that comes along with her new mindset, together with the expertise and confidence that comes with age.
It’s these qualities that Douglas feels are the largest variations between the starry eyed 16-year-old who stood atop the medal podium in London in 2012 and the 28-year-old who’s gearing up for what she hopes can be her third Olympics this summer time. Her age she feels is a testomony to how the game has developed into a spot the place grownup ladies can thrive.
“I really like how the game has developed and there are older women on the market [who are] extra skilled and so they have a peaceful nature about themselves,” Douglas mentioned. “You continue to have the younger 16-year-olds on the market, however it’s nice! I believe it exhibits everybody that you just don’t need to be 16 or 17 to maintain going. I bear in mind after I got here again for my second Olympics and everybody was like, ‘18? No, that’s very, very previous.’ I believe we’re going to push that boundary of age.”
With age comes knowledge, but when she might return in time and communicate to the youthful model of herself – the Gabby that the world first fell in love with in London – she believes she might nonetheless be taught a factor or two. In actual fact, she flips the script.
“I say the youthful model wants to speak to the older model of Gabby,” Douglas mentioned. “To by no means lose that pleasure that I do have for the game as a result of pleasure is actually the power that I draw from to do gymnastics.”
And so the journey begins! As Douglas appears to go away the game she loves with no regrets, she hopes her journey will encourage others to hearken to their hearts as properly.
“I’d say actually should you actually put in work and actually consider in your self and likewise [if] different folks have a lot help and perception in you, then why not go for it?” Douglas mentioned. “Regardless of your race, regardless of how previous you might be, regardless of the circumstance, I’d say go for these desires. You solely dwell as soon as, so I’d say positively go for it.”
