“I know it’s four years away, but I’m excited for it,” Gabby Douglas said to PEOPLE exclusively. “Still representing the USA, still continuing to do gymnastics, so I’m excited.” At 28, the trailblazing Olympic champion isn’t ready to hang up her grips just yet. But after a crushing ankle injury derailed her Paris 2024 comeback, many began to wonder. Is her gymnastics career over for good? Douglas, however, isn’t closing the door. Instead, she’s setting her sights on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. A dream she’s boldly choosing to chase despite setbacks and shifting timelines.

Her passion hasn’t gone unnoticed. In the same breath, she confirmed her ambitions, and Douglas was honored with a top tribute that reminded the world exactly who she is. The gymnast who broke barriers, inspired millions, and changed the face of the sport. The Virginia-born star first made history at the 2012 London Olympics, becoming the first Black gymnast to win the all-around gold.

She followed it up with another golden chapter in Rio, joining Simone Biles and the rest of the iconic “Final Five” in a dominant team performance. Now, as she balances recovery and legacy, is this the new beginning? A tweet by USA Gymnastics on X read, “Olympian.  Trailblazer. Champion. @gabrielledoug is officially a member of the #TeamUSAHOF, Class of 2025! Congratulations, Gabby!” 

And with those few powerful words, a monumental chapter in Gabby Douglas’ legacy was sealed. The Hampton Roads native has officially been selected for induction into the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Hall of Fame, a nod reserved for the legends who’ve shaped American sports history. Douglas will be honored alongside icons like Serena Williams, Allyson Felix, and coaching great Mike Krzyzewski during a star-studded ceremony in July.

It’s more than a personal accolade. A national recognition of a gymnast who transformed the sport and inspired a generation. When Douglas was forced to step away from her Paris 2024 bid due to an untimely ankle injury, she acknowledged that it might mark the close of a chapter but not the end of her gymnastics journey. Her words echoed the resilience that has defined her career.

After a two-year hiatus, Douglas made a powerful return in 2014, quickly regaining form and helping Team USA clinch gold at the 2015 World Championships, along with earning an individual all-around silver. She capped off her Olympic legacy in 2016 with a second team gold in Rio, though an individual medal eluded her that time.

Though she never formally retired, Douglas stepped out of the competitive spotlight, missing the Tokyo Games and staying largely under the radar. With this latest honor, a place in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Hall of Fame, Douglas is being recognized not just for medals won. But for the way she redefined what’s possible in gymnastics.

From viral tributes to fierce comeback, Gabby Douglas has more to give

In 2024, Gabby Douglas captured hearts once again, but this time, it wasn’t with a gold medal routine. A young fan’s 3D project, shared on Instagram, went viral for its creativity and emotional punch. Titled “The Visa Championship Gym,” the homemade diorama used a Nike shoebox to depict a mini gymnastics scene. With a doll mid-split and makeshift equipment crafted from everyday objects.

The tribute was a touching reminder of the lasting impact Douglas continues to have on young athletes and fans, well beyond her competition years. Douglas acknowledges that she’s older than most of her Olympic peers, but her mindset remains sharp. “I’m still a competitor at heart,” she said, reaffirming the drive that helped her rewrite history as the first Black woman to win the Olympic all-around title in 2012.

Her contributions to Team USA continued through the 2016 Rio Olympics. She played a key role in the U.S. team’s gold-medal triumph. But after that high, Douglas took a bold and necessary step back from the sport, choosing to focus on her mental well-being and a journey of inner healing and growth. Though she never officially retired, her return to gymnastics came with emotional honesty and renewed purpose.

“I didn’t want to end this sport like I did in 2016,” Douglas said, reflecting on what fueled her comeback. She spoke openly about her enduring love for gymnastics and her need to close this chapter on her terms. Not with regret, but with intention. Her message was clear: she wasn’t done yet, and the fire that carried her to the top still burned strong. Now, with her induction into the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame, Douglas walks into a new chapter. Not just as a competitor, but as a forever icon.