Gabby Douglas’ Paris Olympics 2024 comeback: the All-Around Champion US gymnast won gold medals for both individual and team categories – so why did she take time off?

May 18 , 2024

Olympic gold medallist and gymnast Gabby Douglas competes at the American Classic in Katy, Texas, on April 27. Photo: AP Photo

At 28, Douglas was the oldest gymnast at the US Winter Cup in February, but she still went head to head with Suni Lee and Simone Biles at the recent US Classic – and she’s vying for gold at the Olympics

She’s appeared on Kellogg’s cornflakes cereal boxes, starred in the film The Gabby Douglas Story and reality TV show Douglas Family Gold, and even wrote a memoir – but briefly quit social media in 2022

With plenty of Olympic experience under her belt, US gymnast Gabby Douglas is set to make her way to Paris this summer to participate in the Games for the third time.

Gabby Douglas celebrates with coaches Liang Chow (left) and Martha Karolyi after winning gold in the women’s individual all-around gymnastics competition during the 2012 Summer Olympic Games. Photo: MCT

The gymnastics veteran has swept up plenty of accolades throughout her career, taking home the All-Around Champion title at her first Summer Olympic Games in London in 2012 and leading the US team to victory at Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

She also won gold medals both in 2012 and 2016 as part of the “Fierce Five” and “Final Five” of the US women’s team in artistic gymnastics – and nabbed the title of World All-Around silver medallist at the young age of 20.

Recently, she was the oldest gymnast at the US Winter Cup in February, and went head to head with Suni Lee and Simone Biles at the US Classic in May.

Gabby Douglas competes on the beam on her way to winning gold in the women’s individual all-around gymnastics competition during the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London, in 2012. Photo: MCT

Her wins were not only milestone moments for the gymnast herself – they marked a significant era in her sport. Douglas is the first African-American to take home the title of individual All-Around Champion at the Olympics – and the only American at the time to also bring home the same title for team competitions in 2012.

So what else do we know about her?

What is Gabby Douglas famous for?

Gabby Douglas performs on the balance beam, but places seventh in the finals after falling at North Greenwich Arena during the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London, England. Photo: MCT

Like many American athletes, the 28-year-old’s success in the arena translated to fame in pop culture. In the tradition of American Olympians, Douglas appeared on the box of Kellogg’s cornflakes cereal, inspiring a whole generation of gymnastic hopefuls.