Why can't Gabby Douglas compete in all-around at U.S. Championships? Exploring all the reasons that are becoming a hurdle for the American

Gabby Douglas’ road to the Paris Olympics 2024 is once again looking a little cloudy after she withdrew mid-meet from the U.S. Core Hydration Classic on Saturday, May 18. While there are still good chances of her participation in the Olympics, she won't be able to compete on all-around at the U.S. National Championships.

Douglas made a highly anticipated return at the American Classic 2024, making a competitive appearance after eight long years. She was earlier slated to compete at the Winter Cup but withdrew at the last moment after testing positive for COVID-19. Nonetheless, Douglas did decent on her comeback appearance at American Classic.

Gymnasts have two chances to qualify for the U.S. National Championships, American and U.S. Classic. Douglas had already qualified on three events, balance beam, vault, and uneven bars, and only needed to qualify for the all-around discipline now.

However, Gabby Douglas struggled on her first routine of the night on uneven bars. She fell twice before earning a score of 10.100. The London Olympic champion later scratched herself from the entire meet, ending her chances of earning an all-around score to qualify for the U.S National Championships.

Moreover, Douglas won't be able to file the petition as well. She is ineligible to do so after earning an all-around score at the American Classic last month. Her fellow gymnast Suni Lee will be able to file a petition since she didn't compete on all four apparatus, neither at the U.S Classic nor the American Classic.

Gabby Douglas was stranded in Dallas hours before the U.S. Core Hydration 2024

2024 Core Hydration Classic

On the morning of May 17, Gabby Douglas posted an Instagram story claiming that she was stranded in Dallas after her flight had been canceled. However, hours before the podium training kicked off on Friday, the Olympic champion landed in Hartford, in a private jet.

“Oh, my goodness. It was a whole thing. [My flight] got pushed from 7 to 9 to 11 to cancelled. We go to the desk and she's like, ‘Well, there's nothing until Saturday like noon.’ I was like, ‘I'm going to miss the podium. My mom called my agent, and he was like, ‘Hey, like, I know someone with a private jet,” she explained to Olympics.com

Douglas also added that she didn't want to end her career on a bad note. She wants to finish her career on ‘love and joy.' While the road may seem tough now, the Olympic champion will hope National championships bring some good luck her way.