Despite Strained Relationship, Gabby Douglas and Simone Biles Are on a Similar Journey With Their Struggles

Gabby Douglas and Simone Biles‘ rivalry has stood the test of time, literally and figuratively. They were also incidentally a part of the same doyen of the Final Five in the 2016 Rio Olympics, and were kindred spirits on the mats and off it as well. But what stoked the flame of their rivalry harkens back to when Douglas let slip a comment about s*exual assault faced by gymnastics buddy Aly Raisman that provoked the ire of compatriot Simone Biles.

Though Gabby Douglas and Simone Biles have buried the hatchet and have made amends with each other post that incident and with Paris being the singular goal for them, they are also two peas in a pod. Underscored by mental health struggles and whatnot, what did the Team USA duo go through?

Simone Biles and Gabby Douglas – a tumultuous journey of odds

Gabby Douglas made history as the first Black American gymnast to win Olympic all-around gold, the first from Team USA to secure gold in both individual and team events, winning three Olympic golds overall. She was also the 2012 Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year. She announced her comeback to gymnastics last July. Now aiming for the 2024 Olympics; a year later, interest in her return is still high, having been away for eight years from professional competition.

Douglas shared with EBONY over Zoom. The journey of these eight years wasn’t that easy—she took a break so that she could focus on her mental health. Douglas said, “I took a break from 2016 until 2022 and after watching a good friend competing, I just missed it, I had a rough go at the 2016 Olympics, but I never wanted to end my career on a bad note.” She expressed that she never wanted to develop a dislike for something she loved, so she knew she wanted to get back at it. Douglas mentioned she was back, taking small steps but expressed excitement about getting back into it, with the mats beckoning her name.

Simone Biles competed in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics but withdrew during the vault event due to the “twisties”. She made sacrifices, and that paid off, as she earned four medals at the event, with four of them being gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics. She’s expected to compete in the Paris Olympics for Team USA. Gabby Douglas, the first US gymnast to win all-around and team titles at the 2012 London Olympics, and a three-time Olympic champion, is making a comeback after eight years, aiming for the Paris Olympics. There is so much more in the offing for these two. Is it just Paris or does it go beyond yonder?

The formidable duo have more to them than meets the eye

After a two-year hiatus, Biles returned in August 2023, proving her readiness for the 2024 Olympics with her sixth individual world title in Belgium and her eighth national all-around individual title. She also amazed the world with her Yurchenko double pike vault, now known as Biles II. During a 2023 appearance on the TODAY show, the seven-time Olympic medalist mentioned, “That’s the path that I would love to go.” Biles mentioned in an interview with CNBC that she had been focusing on personal development, continuing weekly therapy sessions, and felt thrilled to regain the confidence she had before.

MeanwhileDouglas, the 2015 World all-around silver medalist, missed last month’s Winter Cup due to COVID-19 but is now concentrating on the upcoming international games, as per a representative speaking to Inside Gymnastics. Douglas has also prioritized her physical well-being through cryotherapy, acupuncture, and icing, which have been crucial for her health this season. She also partnered with Dr. Scholl’s as their latest celebrity ambassador. Fans are eagerly anticipating the comebacks of both Biles and Douglas at the Paris Olympics in 2024, eager to see them prove once again that they are among the best in the world.