Gabby Douglas' 2024 Olympic Bid Ends After Pulling Out of US Gymnastics Championships

Three-time Olympic gold medalist Gabby Douglas' attempt to qualify for the 2024 Games has come to an end due to an ankle injury.

Douglas told ESPN's Alyssa Roenigk she was withdrawing from the United States Gymnastics Championships this weekend after suffering an ankle injury during training.

"I love this sport and I love pushing my limits," Douglas said "I hope I can inspire both my peers and the next generation of gymnasts that age is just a number, and you can accomplish anything you work hard for."

Despite not being able to have a chance to qualify for the 2024 Olympics, Douglas told Roenigk she will continue to train with an eye on the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.

"I proved to myself and to the sport that my skills remain at an elite level," said Douglas. "My plan is to continue to train for the L.A. 2028 Olympics. It would be such an honor to represent the U.S. at a home Olympics."

Douglas never formally retired, but she stopped competing after the 2016 Olympics. Her mother, Natalie Hawkins-Douglas, confirmed in July 2023 that her daughter was training again with the goal of competing at the Paris Games.

The confirmation came after Douglas announced on social media she was back in the gym.

"There's so much to be said but for now," she wrote in a since-deleted Instagram post, "let's do this."

Douglas' first competition in her comeback attempt was going to be at the USA Gymnastics' Winter Cup in February, but she had to withdraw after testing positive for COVID-19.

At the American Classic in April, Douglas posted an all-around score of 50.65. She took part in the uneven bars at the U.S. Classic before withdrawing from the remainder of the competition.

The Olympic hopes for Douglas were always considered a longshot. Roenigk noted she would have been the oldest American woman to compete in gymnastics at the Olympics since 1952.

Douglas won her first Olympic gold medal in 2012 in the team all-around competition. She posted the highest score for Team USA in the uneven bars (15.200) and balance beam (15.233).

It was the first Olympic gold for the U.S. in the team competition since 1996. Douglas followed that up with two gold medals at the 2016 Games, including in the individual all-around and team competition as a member of the "Final Five" with Simone Biles, Laurie Hernandez, Madison Kocian, and Aly Raisman.