Gabby Douglas, 2012 Olympic champion, delays return because of COVID

Gabby Douglas’ comeback is on hold.

The 2012 Olympic all-around champion announced Thursday afternoon that she won’t compete at Winter Cup this weekend after testing positive for COVID. Winter Cup was to be Douglas’ first meet since the Rio Olympics, almost eight years ago.

‘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 :(,’ Douglas said in part of an Instagram post.

‘Thank you so much for all of your support and positive energy — it really does mean the world to me,’ she added. ‘I’m crushed but I’ll see you guys soon!’

Winter Cup is a qualifier for the national championships, which are May 30 to June 2 in Fort Worth, Texas. In order to compete at nationals, Douglas still has options. She can go to a selection camp April 1-4. She also could do the American Classic, April 25-28, or the U.S. Classic, May 17-19.

Douglas is a three-time Olympic gold medalist, winning team titles in 2012 and 2016 in addition to her all-around gold. She also was the silver medalist at the 2015 world championships, finishing second to Simone Biles in the all-around.

Most gymnastics fans figured Douglas, who turned 28 on Dec. 31, had retired when the Tokyo Olympics came and went and she wasn’t in the gym. But Douglas said watching the national championships in 2022 inspired her, and she confirmed her return last summer.

She went to a national team training camp in November, but has not competed since the uneven bars final in Rio.

Follow Nancy Armour on social media @nrarmour