Which event has Gabby Douglas qualified for after her comeback at the American Classic 2024? Exploring the American's Olympics prospects

The three-time Olympic gold medalist Gabby Douglas made her much-anticipated return to the sport at the 2024 American Classic.

Douglas competed in multiple events on Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Katy, Texas. The Olympian last competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where she bagged a gold medal along with the team.

She was supposed to make her return at the 2024 Winter Cup held in February in Kentucky but had to hold on from her comeback after testing positive for COVID-19. Nevertheless, the 28-year-old stepped back on the mat on Saturday and delivered a performance worthy of redemption.

Although the American gymnast encountered a rocky beginning in the floor exercise, she gracefully demonstrated her skill and precision on the balance beam and vault events. Douglas registered a stunning score of 14.000 points on the vault, finishing in second place after Jade Carey, who scored 14.200 points.

Douglas was placed in fifth position in the balance beam event, collecting a total of 13.350 points. Her scores in the two events helped her secure a spot to compete at the U.S. Championships slated for May 30 to June 2 in Fort Worth, Texas, keeping her Olympic aspirations alive.

"I never wanted to end my career on a bad note" - Gabby Douglas opens up on her comeback to the sport

Gabby Douglas competes in the floor exercise during Day 2 of the 2016 U.S. Women's Gymnastics Olympic Trials at SAP Center in San Jose, California.

Although Gabby Douglas took a long eight-year hiatus from the sport, she never officially announced her retirement.

She was the first African-American and the first woman of color of any nationality to secure a gold medal in the individual all-around event. She achieved this historic feat at the 2012 Olympics in London.

During an interview with EBONY, Douglas expressed her love for the sport and stated that she never wanted to conclude her journey on a bad note.

“I took a break from 2016 until 2022 and after watching a good friend competing, I just missed it," said Douglas. "I had a rough go at the 2016 Olympics, but I never wanted to end my career on a bad note. I never wanted to hate something I love, so I knew I wanted to get back into it. I’ve taken baby steps, but I’m excited. I’ve missed the hard work, honestly, but also just the energy of the crowd and the vibes.”

Gabby Douglas finished in tenth place in the all-around on Saturday, scoring a total of 50.650 points. She bagged 11.850 and 11.450 on bars and floor, respectively.

She still has an opportunity to qualify in the all-around event for the U.S. Championships through the Core Hydration Classic scheduled on May 17 and 18 at the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut.