Gabrielle Douglas is a celebrated American artistic gymnast known for her exceptional achievements in the sport. She achieved Olympic all-around champion status in 2012 and secured a silver medal in the same category at the 2015 World Championships. Douglas played a pivotal role in securing gold medals for the United States in both the 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics as part of teams known as "Fierce Five" and "Final Five" respectively. She also contributed to gold-winning American teams at the 2011 and 2015 World Championships. Her accomplishments have solidified her place as a prominent figure in gymnastics history.
1952: First All-Around Champion Without Individual Medal Since 1952
In 1952, Gabby Douglas became the first all-around champion to not win a medal in an individual event since women's gymnastics was added to the Olympics.
December 31, 1995: Gabby Douglas is born
On December 31, 1995, Gabrielle Christina Victoria Douglas was born.
2001: First Reigning Olympic All-Around Champion to Win Since 2001
Gabby Douglas was the first reigning Olympic all-around champion to win a world championships medal since 2001.
October 2002: Begins Training at Gymstrada
In October 2002, Gabby Douglas started her training at Gymstrada.
2004: Level 4 All-Around Gymnastics Champion
In 2004, at the age of eight, Gabby Douglas won the Level 4 all-around gymnastics title at the Virginia State Championships.
2007: Shawn Johnson Becomes World Champion
In 2007, Shawn Johnson, who would later be coached by Liang Chow, became World Champion.
2008: Shawn Johnson Wins Olympic Gold
Shawn Johnson, future trainee of Liang Chow, won an Olympic gold medal in 2008.
2009: Wrist Fracture and Limited Competition
In 2009, Gabby Douglas suffered a fracture in the growth plate of her wrist, causing her to miss the 2009 Covergirl US Classic and compete in a limited capacity at the Visa Championships.
2010: Nastia Liukin Supergirl Cup
In 2010, Gabby Douglas competed at the Nastia Liukin Supergirl Cup, a televised Level 10 meet, and placed fourth all-around.
2010: Pan American Championships
At the 2010 Pan American Championships, Gabby Douglas secured the uneven bars title and a share of the U.S. team gold medal.
2010: U.S. Junior National Championships
Gabby Douglas won the silver medal on balance beam at the 2010 U.S. Junior National Championships.
2011: U.S. National Championships
Gabby Douglas tied for third on bars at the 2011 U.S. National Championships in St. Paul, Minnesota.
2011: World Championships Team Gold Medal
In 2011, Gabby Douglas was a member of the gold-winning American team at the World Championships.
2012: Olympic All-Around Champion
In 2012, Gabby Douglas became the Olympic all-around champion.
2012: Moves to Iowa for Training
In 2012, Gabby Douglas relocated to West Des Moines, Iowa, to train under Liang Chow, former coach of Shawn Johnson.
2012: Pacific Rim Championships and U.S. Nationals
In 2012, Gabby Douglas was part of the gold-winning U.S. team at the Pacific Rim Championships and won gold in uneven bars at the U.S. National Championships.
2012: Olympic Gold Medal Wins
In 2012, at the Summer Olympics in London, Gabby Douglas and her teammates, known as the "Fierce Five", won the team gold medal in gymnastics. Douglas also won the individual all-around gold medal, becoming the first African-American woman and woman of color to do so.
2012: Olympic Trials Victory
On July 1, 2012, Gabby Douglas secured first place in the all-around rankings at the Olympic Trials in San Jose, California, guaranteeing her spot on the women's Olympic gymnastic team.
2012: First Time Named to Senior National Team Since 2012
This was the first time Gabby Douglas had been named to the Senior National Team since 2012.
August 2013: Move to Los Angeles and Continued Olympic Preparation
In August 2013, Gabby Douglas moved to Los Angeles to be with her family and continued preparing for the 2016 Olympics.
2013: Departure from Iowa in 2013
Gabby Douglas had left Iowa in the summer of 2013.
April 2014: Return to Iowa for 2016 Olympics Training
In April 2014, Gabby Douglas returned to Iowa to train with Coach Chow for the 2016 Olympics in Rio.
November 25, 2014: Return to U.S. National Team
On November 25, 2014, Gabby Douglas was added back to the U.S. national team.
2014: Coaching Change and Delayed Comeback
In 2014, Gabby Douglas left her coach and started training under Kittia Carpenter, delaying her comeback to focus on regaining her strength.
2014: The Gabby Douglas Story
In 2014, a Lifetime biopic film, The Gabby Douglas Story, was released, detailing Gabby Douglas' life story.
March 2015: Return to International Competition
In March 2015, Gabby Douglas returned to international competition at the City of Jesolo Trophy in Italy, helping the USA win gold in the team event.
October 8, 2015: Selection for 2015 US Women's World Championship Team
On October 8, 2015, Gabby Douglas was selected for the 2015 US Women's World Championship Team.
November 13, 2015: Announcement of Participation in 2016 AT&T American Cup
On November 13, 2015, it was announced that Gabby Douglas would participate in the 2016 AT&T American Cup.
December 17, 2015: Confirmation of Participation in 2016 AT&T American Cup
On December 17, 2015, Gabby Douglas' participation in the 2016 AT&T American Cup was confirmed.
2015: World All-Around Silver Medalist
In 2015, Gabby Douglas won the silver medal in the World all-around competition.
2015: World Championship Silver Medal
In 2015, Gabby Douglas won a silver medal in the all-around at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, becoming the first reigning Olympic all-around champion since 2001 to achieve this.
2015: Planned Comeback for Worlds 2015
Gabby Douglas planned to return to competition in time for the World Championships in 2015.
March 2016: All-Around Title at City of Jesolo Trophy
In March 2016, Gabby Douglas won the all-around title at the City of Jesolo Trophy.
2016: Participation in 2016 AT&T American Cup
Gabby Douglas was going to participate in the 2016 AT&T American Cup.
2016: Preparation for 2016 Olympics
Gabby Douglas was preparing to compete in the 2016 Olympics.
2016: Training for 2016 Olympics in Rio
Gabby Douglas was training for the 2016 Olympics in Rio.
2016: AT&T American Cup All-Around Champion
In 2016, Gabby Douglas became the AT&T American Cup all-around champion.
2016: Competition at 2016 Secret US Classic
In 2016, Gabby Douglas competed at the 2016 Secret US Classic, finishing 3rd on uneven bars.
2016: Member of "Final Five" Olympic Team
In 2016, Gabby Douglas was a member of the gold-winning U.S. Olympic team, dubbed the "Final Five".
2016: Selection for 2016 Olympics Team
On July 10, 2016, Gabby Douglas was named to the team for the 2016 Olympics.
July 2023: Training for 2024 Olympics
As of July 2023, Gabby Douglas is training with the goal of making the 2024 Olympic team.
2024: Potential Olympic Return
Gabby Douglas is aiming to compete in the 2024 Olympic Games.