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The three-time Olympic medalist announced the news a day before the 2024 Winter Cup in Louisville, Kentucky, where she wasscheduled to compete on beam, floor, and vault.
“Hey guys. 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, 28, shared in a statement onInstagram.
The official USA Gymnastics social media account shared the statement on their Instagram Story and commented on her post, “🖤🖤🖤 we’ll see you again soon!”
The news comes just weeks after Douglasannounced that she would officially returnto the sport during an appearance onHallie Jackson NOW.
Her return was set to be her first time competingsince the 2016 Summer Olympics.
“I didn’t want to end this sport how I did in 2016. I wanted to take a step back and work on my mental state. I love gymnastics and love pushing myself,” she told Jackson. “I never wanted to walk away on a bad day.”
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The athlete said she’s always been a “competitor at heart” and had been missing participating in the sport.
“After watching the 2022 championships, I was like I miss competing,” said Douglas. “I found myself in the gym, and I was like, all right, maybe I could do this again.”
Douglas previously shared avideo of herself training on Instagramand said she was “determined to make every moment count” with her return to the sport.
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“Wow guys, what a journey so far. it’s had its ups and downs, but i’m not done pushing the boundaries. i’m determined to make every moment count! SO happy to get back out on the competition floor and enjoy this sport that i fell in love with as a little girl. here’s to never giving up on our dreams. let’s do this✨” her caption read.
The gymnast firsthinted at making a return to the sport in July 2023aftertaking a break from social media.
She shared black and whiteInstagram photosof herself on a balance beam and explained that “she did a lot of journaling, reflecting, soul searching and found myself back where it all began.”
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“I wanted to find the joy again for the sport that I absolutely love doing. I know I have a huge task ahead of me and I am beyond grateful and excited to get back out on the floor,” she added in her caption, including the hashtag “2024.”
source: people.com
