Gabby Douglas has announced her comeback to gymnastics after not competing since the 2016 Olympics.
The three-time Olympic champion, 27, announced her return in a post on social media on Thursday.
“Hey guys, long time no post. “As you all know, I retired from social networks and during this time I kept a lot of journaling, reflecting, searching for souls and finding myself back where it all began,” the upload reads – with two action shots of himself on the Balance beam – continued her Instagram profile read.
“It’s so easy to hold back for years and run from the darkness and the fears.” I had an ache in my heart, but I didn’t want to continue to carry around anger, pain, sadness, or regret, and through my tears and pain I have found peace
“I wanted to rediscover the joy of the sport that I love so much.”
Gabby Douglas has announced her comeback to gymnastics after a seven-year absence
The three-time Olympic champion, 27, announced her return in a social media post on Thursday
Douglas was one of the hundreds of gymnasts who were sexually abused by Larry Nassar, a former USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University physician
“I know I have a huge task ahead of me and I am beyond grateful and excited to be back on stage and even more grateful for all of your support and love.”
“It really means so much.” There’s so much to say, but right now… Let’s do this #2024.’
Douglas was one of the hundreds of gymnasts who were sexually abused by Larry Nassar, a former USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University physician.
The athlete, who became the first African American to become an Olympic individual all-around champion, has been subjected to intense scrutiny on social media.
She was harassed for her hair and facial expression while watching her teammates and for not putting her hand on her heart during the national anthem at the 2016 Olympics.
Last summer, she announced she was taking a break from social media to focus on her mental health just days after alluding to the abuse Nassar inflicted on her while training for the Rio 2016 Olympics de Janeiro, Brazil.
Douglas has never officially stated that she has retired from gymnastics, but she has not competed since the 2016 Olympics. She wants to be at the Olympic Games in Paris next year.
revealed this week that an inmate claimed he stabbed 59-year-old Nassar 10 times for making a lewd comment about wanting to see girls at the women’s Wimbledon game.
Douglas shared on Instagram last summer that she was taking a break from social media
Just days after she alluded to the abuse she suffered at the hands of Larry Nassar
The athlete was the first African American to become an Olympic individual all-around champion
Nassar admitted to sexually abusing the athletes while he was working at Michigan State University and USA Gymnastics.
The doctor also admitted to possessing child pornography, and more than 100 women are suing the federal government for over $1 billion for the FBI’s failure to stop him.
In 2017, she publicly revealed she was one of Nassar’s victims after she was accused of shaming her Final Five teammate Aly Raisman, who was also abused by the disgraced doctor.
The backlash came after she responded to a lengthy post by Raisman about shaming the victim following allegations of Nassar’s abuse.
“Just because a woman does a sexy photoshoot or wears a sexy outfit doesn’t give a man the right to embarrass her or disbelieve her when she’s reporting sexual abuse,” she wrote.
Douglas responded, “However, it is our responsibility as women to dress modestly and be stylish. Dressing in a provocative/sexual way attracts the wrong people.”
Douglas has never officially announced that she has retired, but she has not competed since 2016
Her teammate Simone Biles slammed Douglas for her irresponsible comments amid the abuse scandal.
“I’m shocked to see this but not surprised… honestly it brings me to tears to see this because as your teammate I expected more from you and your support,” Biles wrote.
Douglas then deleted the offending tweet and quickly apologized: “I didn’t word my response properly and I’m deeply sorry that I came across as not standing by my teammates’ side,” she said.
“No matter what you wear, abuse is not acceptable under any circumstances.” I’m with you. #Me too’
Douglas then came forward and said that she was also one of Nassar’s victims.
“I have not shared my experiences and many other things publicly because we have been conditioned to remain silent for years and quite frankly some things have been extremely painful,” she wrote in the social media statement.
The three-time Olympic gold medalist pictured with her Final Five teammates in Rio 2016
“That would be like saying that we were to blame for Larry Nassar’s abuse because of the jerseys we wore.”
She then went on to express her support for Raisman, as well as her teammate McKayla Maroney, who also shared that she was a victim.
“I didn’t take my comments as victim shaming because I know that no matter what you wear, it NEVER gives anyone the right to harass or abuse you,” she added.
“I fully support my teammates for disclosing what happened to them.”