Gabby Douglas has announced she is making a comeback to gymnastics after not competing since the 2016 Olympics.
The three-time Olympic gold medalist, 27, announced her return in a social media post on Thursday.
Hey guys, long time no mail. As you all know I took a step back from social media and in that time I did a lot of journaling, reflecting, searching for my soul and finding myself back where it all started,’ the upload – featuring two action shots of herself on the balance beam – read on her Instagram profile.
“It is so easy to suppress and run away from darkness and fears for years. I have had pain in my heart but I didn’t want to carry anger, hurt, sadness or regret and through my tears and pain I have found peace.
‘I wanted to find the fun in the sport that I love to do.
Gabby Douglas has announced that she is making a comeback to gymnastics after seven years
The three-time Olympic gold medalist, 27, announced her return on social media on Thursday
Douglas was one of hundreds of female gymnasts who were sexually assaulted by Larry Nassar, a former US Gymnastics and Michigan State University physician
“I know I have a huge task ahead of me and I am beyond grateful and excited to get back on the floor and even more grateful for all of your support and love.
“It really means so much. There is so much to say, but for now…. let’s do this #2024.”
Douglas was one of hundreds of female gymnasts who were sexually assaulted by Larry Nassar, a former US Gymnastics and Michigan State University physician.
The athlete, who became the first African-American to become an Olympic individual all-around champion, was widely criticized on social media.
She was infamously bullied for her hair, her facial expressions while watching her teammates and not putting her hand over her heart during the national anthem at the 2016 Olympics.
Last summer, she revealed she was taking a break from social media to focus on her mental health just days after alluding to the abuse she suffered at the hands of Nassar while training for the Rio 2016 Olympics. Janiero, Brazil. .
Douglas has never officially stated that she has retired from gymnastics, but she has not competed since the 2016 Olympics.
In 2017, she publicly shared that she was one of Nassar’s victims after being accused of shaming her Final Five teammate Aly Raisman, who was also abused by the disgraced doctor.
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 the Olympic individual all-around champion
The backlash came after she responded to a lengthy post by Raisman about victim shaming following the Nassar abuse allegations.
“Just because a woman does a sexy photo shoot or wears a sexy outfit doesn’t give a man the right to shame her or disbelieve her when she comes forward about sexual abuse,” she wrote.
Douglas then replied, “However, it is our responsibility as women to dress modestly and stylishly. Provocative/sexual clothing attracts the wrong people.’
Their teammate Simone Biles was critical Douglas for her irresponsible comments during the abuse scandal.
“I am shocked to see this but I am not surprised… seeing this honestly brings tears to my eyes because as your teammate I expected more from you and to support her,” Biles wrote.
Douglas has never officially stated that she is retired, but she has not competed since 2016
Douglas then deleted the offending tweet and quickly apologised: “I didn’t phrase my answer correctly and I’m very sorry for coming across as if I don’t stand with my teammates,” she said.
No matter what you wear, abuse under any circumstance is never acceptable. I’m with you. #Me, too’
Douglas then came forward to say that she too was one of Nassar’s victims.
“I have not publicly shared my experiences and many other things because we were conditioned for years to keep quiet and be honest, some things were extremely painful,” she wrote in the social media statement.
“It would be like saying that because of the leotards we wore, it was our fault that we were abused by Larry Nassar.”
She then shared 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 whatever you wear, it NEVER gives anyone the right to harass or abuse you,” she added.
The three-time Olympic gold medalist pictured with her Final Five teammates in Rio 2016
“I wholeheartedly support my teammates in coming forward with what happened to them.”
Dailymail.com revealed this week that an inmate claimed he stabbed Nassar 59.10 times because he made a lewd comment about wanting to see girls play in the Wimbledon women’s match.
Nassar admitted to sexually assaulting the athletes while working at Michigan State University and USA Gymnastics.
The doctor also admitted to possessing child pornography, and more than 100 women demanded more than $1 billion from the federal government because the FBI failed to stop him.