Gabby Douglas forced to delay her return to gymnastics after testing positive for Covid – four months from US Olympic Team trials for Paris games this summer: ‘I’m crushed’

American Olympic gold medalist Gabby Douglas has postponed a planned return to gymnastics after testing positive for Covid.

She was in Louisville getting ready to compete in the 2024 Winter Cup in the beam, floor, and vault events when she announced the news.

‘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 shared on her Instagram account.

‘Thank you so much for all of your support and positive energy – it really does mean the world to me. 

‘I’m crushed but I’ll see you guys soon! Sending my best to everyone competing.’

It’s been 12 years since Douglas won individual all-around gold at the London Olympic Games

(L-R) Jordyn Wieber, Gabby Douglas, McKayla Maroney, Aly Raisman, and Kyla Ross stand on the podium after winning team all-around gold in 2012 while the US national anthem plays

Douglas (second left) won team gold again with the United States in Rio back in 2016

Just weeks ago, the 28-year-old gymnast officially confirmed that she would try and make a comeback to the Olympics 12 years after she set the world alight at the 2012 London Olympics.

There, Douglas won the individual all-around gold medal – in which she placed first in the vault and beam events while coming third in the uneven bars and fourth in the floor routine to beat out Russian Viktoria Komova.

She was also victorious in the team all-around event, the second time the USA ever won the gold, as part of a team with Aly Raisman, McKayla Maroney, Jordyn Wieber, and Kyla Ross.

Douglas made the US Olympic team for the 2016 Rio Olympics as well – where the Americans repeated their team all-around gold success.

In addition to Douglas and 2012 teammate Raisman, they were joined by Madison Kocian, Laurie Hernandez, and Simone Biles in their repeat in Brazil.

Douglas finished third in qualifying for the 2016 Rio Olympics individual all-around event, but did so behind teammates Biles and Raisman. Due to a strict rule of only allowing two competitors per country in the individual finals, Douglas was barred from entering.