Gabby Douglas Reveals Future Plans After Missing 2024 Olympics

I am in awe of these remarkable women and their incredible accomplishments in the world of gymnastics. Gabby Douglas, Simone Biles, Aly Raisman, and Lauren Hernandez have not only left indelible marks on the sport but also shattered glass ceilings and defied stereotypes.

Gymnast Gabby Douglas is ready to get back on the (vaulting) horse.

The 2012 Olympic all-around champion, who was forced to retire temporarily due to a foot injury before the 2024 Olympics in Paris, hasn’t closed the door on making a comeback for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

The athlete shared with TopMob News’ Francesca Amiker in an exclusive interview that closing the 2024 chapter was a deeply emotional experience for them. “It was both sad and joyful,” they expressed. However, they added with a smile, “I’m thankful for returning to the gym, learning new abilities, refreshing old ones, and being part of the competition world once again.” (Star-spangled leotards: Veterans Simone Biles, Jade Carey, Jordan Chiles, Suni Lee, and rookie Hezly Rivera.)

After a gap of eight years since her participation in the Rio de Janeiro Games, she has proven that she still possesses her top form and excelled at the most important skill.

She expressed her deep appreciation and continued to feel this way, acknowledging the ability to maintain her fitness routine despite having a particular body type and reaching the age of 28, let alone 32 in Los Angeles.

So, no, she’s not putting that chalk down just yet.

Gabby shared, “During the six-year hiatus I mentioned, I felt uncertain about returning to gymnastics. After winning team gold in Rio, I questioned if I still had what it takes. The age requirement and pressure to be young and fresh made me feel old at my second Olympic Games.”

But something shifted after she saw Team USA pick up gold at the 2022 World Championships.

She shared, “After getting back on track with my diet, finding the right routine, and establishing a consistent schedule, I suddenly thought, ‘I might be able to accomplish this!’ It’s exciting to experiment with new abilities. I hadn’t tried some of the skills I competed in during this journey before.”

And should she not stick the landing at the next Olympic trials, there’s always track & field.

When Gabby underwent Ancestry’s Performance Traits assessment, she uncovered an intriguing revelation: not only does her genetic makeup bear strong similarities to that of the esteemed heptathlete and long jumper Jackie Joyner-Kersee, but she confidently declared, “I excel at sprinting.” Feeling invigorated by this discovery, she expressed, “I believe I would thrive in competitive running events.” (For those eager to explore their athletic connections further, Ancestry.com/BringYourDNAGame offers an enticing opportunity.)

For now, though, she’s reserving those skills for her hard AF workouts.

At the gym, Gabby confessed, I put in an extremely challenging effort for myself. I go all out, working my entire body with weightlifting and plenty of cardio exercises, as well as focusing on building strength. In essence, I give it my all during each workout session.

I ensure my body is well-nourished by consuming a balanced diet rich in protein, vegetables, fruits, and wholesome carbs. This fuel keeps me energized and able to handle any challenges that come my way.

She expressed a preference for challenging coaches, explaining, “I don’t mean harsh or cruel mentors, but those who truly push me to my limits and bring out the best in me.”

According to the results of her Ancestry test, Gabby admitted, “I tend to be quite lethargic.” She went on to explain, “I require someone to motivate me, like, ‘Come on, let’s get going,’ because I effortlessly lose focus.”

At the moment, though, she has her eyes on the proverbial prize.

From a devoted fan’s perspective, I can’t help but be intrigued by what has become of my beloved gymnasts who once dazzled us on the beam, vault, bars, and floor. Join me as we delve into their post-competition lives and uncover the fascinating stories that lie beyond their athletic careers.

A trailblazer in gymnastics, she was among the early female athletes to significantly boost the sport’s popularity in the country. Her impressive display at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, despite not earning a medal, played a pivotal role in this achievement. Post her participation in the 1972 Olympics, Rigby left the competitive scene and is primarily recognized for her portrayal of Peter Pan in the theatrical production of the same name, which garnered her a Tony Award nomination in 1991.

For several years, Rigby has been recognized by both theatre goers and TV audiences. She gained fame through her lengthy tenure as a sports commentator on ABC, as well as her role in “The Six Million Dollar Man” series. Moreover, she’s been candid about her past struggle with eating disorders.

Tom McCoy, her spouse and co-parent, is the father of two of her kids, while she has two children from a past relationship.

In the ’80s, I was a prominent cultural figure before stepping back in 1986. At the Los Angeles Olympics that year, I brought home an impressive five medals, including gold in the all-around competition. I became the first American woman to accomplish this feat in gymnastics. Sharing my life with former University of Houston quarterback Shannon Kelley, we raised our four wonderful children together before parting ways in 2018.

In her non-athletic pursuits, she became an active voice in politics. She backed President Ronald Reagan during his 1984 reelection campaign and later appeared at the 2004 Republican National Convention. Retton also made brief appearances in the movies “Scrooged” and “Naked Gun 33+1⁄3”. More recently, she became the first female inductee into the Houston Sports Hall of Fame in 2020.

The retired athlete was hospitalized for severe pneumonia in 2023.

At the 1992 Barcelona and 1996 Atlanta Olympics, she accumulated a total of seven medals, making her the most decorated female gymnast in history. After missing the cut for the 2020 Sydney Games, Miller shifted her attention towards her education, obtaining a business degree and subsequently a law degree, despite not taking the Bar Exam.

Miller continued her career by featuring in fitness videos, releasing her 2015 autobiography titled “It’s Not About Perfect,” and promoting the prevention of childhood obesity. She is married to John Falconetti and they have two kids together.

At the 1996 Atlanta Games, she earned two medals despite competing on the vault with an ankle injury, which was made iconic when her coach, Béla Károlyi, carried her to the podium. This remarkable event brought about a flurry of media attention, leading to appearances on Saturday Night Live and Beverly Hills, 90210, as well as a meeting with President Bill Clinton. Shortly after, she decided to retire.

After becoming a schoolteacher and participating in politics, such as delivering speeches at the 2004 Republican National Convention, Strug’s memoir, titled “Landing On My Feet, A Diary Of Dreams,” is currently being adapted into a movie. Olivia Wilde will direct the film, and Thomasin McKenzie has been cast to portray the athlete in it.

She and husband Robert Fischer share two children.

In the 1992 Barcelona, 1996 Atlanta, and 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, she participated and secured a total of four medals. Among these achievements was the historic team gold victory in 1996, making her the pioneering Black gymnast of any nationality to claim an Olympic gold medal.

After the Sydney Olympics, Dawes chose to retire. She has made appearances in various music videos, such as Missy Elliott’s “We Run This” from 2006, and took on the role of Patty Simcox during a 1990s revival of Grease on Broadway.

In 2010, the athlete was appointed as a co-chair of President Barack Obama’s President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition. Additionally, she is passionate about raising awareness for autism. Dawes and her husband Jeff Thompson are parents to four children.

At the 2008 Beijing Games, she shone among the stars, amassing a total of four medals, with one being gold on the balance beam. Shawn made her retirement right before the 2012 London Games, leaving an indelible mark on pop culture after triumphing in “Dancing With the Stars” in 2009.

Since 2008, she has consistently appeared on various media platforms, making frequent guest appearances on shows such as “The Secret Life of the American Teenager,” “Celebrity Apprentice,” “The Challenge: Champs vs. Stars,” “Whose Line Is It Anyway?,” “Who Wants to be a Millionaire,” and “Family Feud.” Not only that, but she led the Pledge of Allegiance at the 2008 Democratic National Convention and has penned several books, one of which is the 2016 young adult novel titled “The Flip Side.”

I, Johnson, am blessed with the company of three wonderful children, whom I’m proud to call mine with my loving husband, NFL player Andrew East. Our marriage took place in 2016. I value transparency and have been vocal about my past challenges with disordered eating.

At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the gymnast won a total of five medals, among which was the coveted gold in the all-around competition. She decided to retire right before the 2012 London Games. Since then, she has made guest appearances on television shows like “Gossip Girl,” “Make It or Break It,” and “Hellcats.” Nastia also featured in the movie “Stick It” and joined the cast of “Dancing With the Stars” in 2015. In addition to these, she published her memoir titled “Finding My Shine” that same year.

In 2018, she and hockey player Matt Lombardi called off their engagement.

In 2022, she made their relationship Instagram-public with Ben Weyand, who is the operations vice president at Trive Capital.

I’m absolutely thrilled and honored to have been part of the team that brought home the gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics. It was an unforgettable experience, and I’ll cherish it forever. But you know what? Winning the silver medal in the vault that summer was also a remarkable achievement for me. I gave it my all and gave it my best shot. However, when we stood on the podium to receive our awards, something unexpected happened. My expression must have looked a tad unimpressed to the world, and before I knew it, I became an internet sensation! People started making memes out of my seemingly nonchalant attitude, but deep down, I was bursting with pride and joy. It’s all part of the rollercoaster ride that comes with being an athlete, and I wouldn’t have it any other way!

Since her retirement in 2016, Maroney has shifted her focus to acting and singing. She can be seen on various TV shows such as Hart of Dixie, Bones, and Superstore. Moreover, she debuted her first single, titled “Wake Up Call,” in the year 2020.

In 2021, she appeared in a Geico ad, during which she gave her infamous “not impressed” look.

I was privileged to be a member of the triumphant teams that clinched the gold medals at the 2012 London Olympics and the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games. Additionally, in 2016, I achieved the remarkable feat of becoming the first African American to secure the all-around gymnastics gold by winning that coveted title.

After participating in the Rio Olympics, Douglas took a break from the mat and has since gained significant recognition in TV and media. She penned down her experiences in her 2012 memoir titled “Grace, Gold, and Glory.” In 2014, Lifetime produced a movie based on her life called “The Gabby Douglas Story,” and she appeared with her family on the Oxygen reality series named “Douglas Family Gold.”

In addition to “Kickin It” and “Undercover Boss,” I’ve made guest appearances on TV. I also triumphantly took the title of “The Masked Dancer” champion in the year 2020.

In 2024, I made a triumphant return to my sport with the ambition to participate in the prestigious Paris Olympics. However, during my preparation for the U.S. gymnastics championships in May, I unfortunately sustained an ankle injury that compelled me to withdraw from the competition.

At the 2012 London Olympics and the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games, Raisman, the second most decorated American female gymnast after Miller, earned a total of six medals. Among them were the gold medal for the floor competition in 2012 and back-to-back team gold titles.

After retiring from the Rio Games, Raisman published her memoir titled “Fierce” in the year 2017. She made a brief appearance in the 2019 film “Charlie’s Angels”. In 2013, she finished fourth on “Dancing With the Stars”. Raisman graced the pages of the “Sports Illustrated” Swimsuit Issue in both 2017 and 2018. Moreover, she has released two books: “Fierce” in 2017 and a children’s book named “From My Head to My Toes” in 2024.

I’ve been following her love story from a distance for what feels like ages. Back in 2017, she was involved in a high-profile romance with none other than Colton Underwood. Unfortunately, their relationship didn’t last and they went their separate ways. Little did we all know that he would later captivate the nation as the leading man on The Bachelorette and then The Bachelor.

At the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, the two-time medalist for the US team was Hernandez. She helped her team win gold. Although she retired from gymnastics in 2021, Hernandez will still be present in Paris as a correspondent for NBC, covering women’s gymnastics events.

In addition to excelling in sports, Hernandez achieved victory in the 23rd season of “Dancing With the Stars” at the young age of 16. She also reported for the junior version of “American Ninja Warrior.” Further, she lent her voice to a character on Nickelodeon’s “Middle School Moguls,” which premiered in 2019. Her memoir titled “I Got This” was published in 2017.

As an obsessed fan of NYU’s star athlete, I can’t help but share the exciting news that I’ve uncovered! Since the chilly winter months of December 2020, this remarkable sports figure has been in a romantic relationship with the captivating Charlotte Drury. Not only is she a talented photographer, but she’s also an accomplished Olympic trampoline gymnast. What a dynamic duo they make!

2024-07-20 19:19

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