Most sports, even Olympic sports, skew toward youth. This is especially true in women’s gymnastics, where most champions are several years away from legal drinking age.
Gabby Douglas, who made history by becoming the first woman of color to win the all-around gold medal when she accomplished that feat in 2012, is practically ancient in gymnastics years at age 20. This month, she will try to become the first repeat all-around champ since Czechoslovakia’s Vera Caslavska did it in 1964 and ’68.
Despite her “advanced age,” it might take a monumental effort to pry the title from Douglas at the Rio Games. That goes for anyone in the competition, even friend and event favorite Simone Biles.
Douglas was officially named to the team in early July; she and the rest of the American women will open competition Aug. 9. Before she embarked on her request to repeat, she talked to RedEye about shaking off safety concerns, meeting Beyoncé and helping other athletes through Citi’s Stand for Progress program (Citi is one of her sponsors).
Is it at all strange to be a 20-year-old mentor?
For me, it’s not really strange. I love it. I love giving little girls inspirational messages, whomever it may be. I love sharing my message with them, and my advice. I’ve been there and I know what struggle is like, so I love helping them out if they need help.
Is there anything easier about being a 20-year-old gymnast?
I have to say that things are kind of the same, the hours in the gym, the competitions. I would say that the skills are a little easier this time than last time. I guess I’m just a little bit more powerful, and I’ve matured over the years.
Is there anything you would go back and tell your 16-year-old self if you could?
I would tell my 16-year-old self to keep having fun and enjoy the sport and just never lose that joyful spirit.
You’ve said you’re not worried about the Zika virus while in Brazil. Is there anything about these games that concerns you?
Not really. I just think about the competition and just competing at another Olympic Games, which is such an amazing opportunity. And I feel like you always have these circumstances or these trials and hurdles, and at the end of the day, are you going let it determine your future? Are you going to let it break you? Or are you just gonna say, “Hey, I’m just gonna overcome this”?
What’s it like watching Simone Biles develop into the gymnast that she is now?
I love it. She’s an amazing competitor and she’s a fierce competitor, and I absolutely love watching her compete and watching how she deals with things. She is truly amazing. She really is.
Who inspires you?
My mom inspires me a lot. She’s one of my biggest supporters. And she just always tells me to go out there and just fight, have fun and enjoy the process.
Who is someone you’ve been really excited to meet since you won gold in London?
Beyoncé. She was amazing. I met her at the [NBA] All-Star weekend. I got to talk to her. It was kind of funny because her bodyguards were surrounding her and they were like “Everybody back off,” and then they were like, “Gabby, you can go in her little circle.” And she was like, “Gabby!” She was so encouraging and so sweet and so nice.
What is the strength of this U.S. gymnastics team?
I think one of our strengths is that team bond that we have out on the floor no matter how everyone does, if you fall, if you make it, we’re still a team at the end of the day.
What have you learned about yourself in participating in the Citi program?
For me, I just have to say I’m so honored to be a part of Citi’s Stand for Progress because not only does it help me in the gym just pushing and pushing myself to the limit, also in life, it helps me to be so strong and really confident in all that I do. It helps me test and push the boundaries of my ability.
@redeyesportschi | chsosa@redeyechicago.com
