It seems that U.S Gabby Douglas will follow within the footsteps of her compatriots Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin as her coach Chow announced that Gabby won't be back in the gym in 2013.
Douglas who became the first African American gymnast to win the all around Olympic title, announced several times after the Olympics that she will be back in the gym as soon as possible but looks like Douglas got tempted by Hollywood.
Her coach Chow told desmoinesregister.com that he has no plans for Gabby in 2013 “I don’t have any plans for Gabby at this point,” said Chow, who communicates with Douglas via email. “I can’t make any plans till she’s physically back in the gym. I need to see where she’s at. I’m not a big dreamer. I have to see the reality."
After the Olympics, Gabby has been busy appearing on numerous shows, performing at the Kellogg's tour and most recently doing a tour on her book. Douglas will be performing at the Teen Choice Live Tour which will start on 17th March.
“Gymnastics at this level cannot be done halfway or not even 90 percent dedication,” Karolyi said. “So once (Douglas) would decide to return to gymnastics, she needs to say, ‘I will train just like I did when I became Olympic champion.’ There will be the same expectations for her as any other of our athletes.”
It has become increasingly rare to have an American gymnast continue competing after the Olympics. Four time Olympic medalist Shawn Johnson who was also coached by Chow, stopped competing after her success at the Beijing Olympics, she then announced her comeback after two years off only to fail to get back to her former level. She ended her comeback only two month before the Olympics.
Another example, Nastia Liukin who is the winner of five Olympic medals, failed to make the 2012 U.S Olympic team after three years off gymnastics.
"This is America" said Chow "She can take as many years as she wants". But the question is not how long will it take Gabby to get back in the gym but rather will she be able to get back to her former level?.
Question of the post " Would this be the beginning of the end of Gabby's gymnastics career?"
Written by Gigi Khazback Farid
Source Desmoinesregister.com
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Great Post. It is becoming a trend for our gymnasts and I'm glad you're making it known. Someone needs to tell these young women they will never be greater at anything else and they should embrace their talent, not run from it.
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