Last year, Gabby Douglas was on the verge of achieving a remarkable milestone in gymnastics. At 28, she had the opportunity to become the oldest American female gymnast to qualify for Team USA at the Paris Olympics—a feat unmatched since 1952, when five team members were at least 28 years old. However, an ankle injury limited her participation and ultimately led to her withdrawal from key competitions. As a result, the 2012 Olympic all-around champion missed her shot at making the national team.

Instead, it was 27-year-old Simone Biles who reached the milestone, becoming the oldest American woman in seven decades to secure an Olympic team spot. Biles went on to make history in Paris by becoming the first gymnast ever to win a second Olympic all-around title. So, why is all of this coming back into focus now?

Since the 2024 U.S. Championships, Gabby Douglas hasn’t returned to competition. Still, her legacy continues to resonate. Case in point: on July 12, she’s set to be inducted into the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs. The USOPC’s official bio for Douglas highlights her lasting impact, stating that “her groundbreaking achievements helped pave the way for future generations of gymnasts, including Simone Biles, who would go on to continue her legacy of excellence and representation on the global stage.” That raises the question—what has Simone Biles said about the gymnastics trailblazer?

Five years ago, in July, Simone Biles opened up about Gabby Douglas in an interview with Vogue. Reflecting on her early years, Simone said, “Growing up, I didn’t see very many Black gymnasts.” That made the few she did see all the more powerful. “So whenever I did, I felt really inspired to go out there and want to be as good as them,” she added. Simone recalled watching Gabby Douglas win gold at the 2012 Olympics, saying, “I remember watching Gabby Douglas win the 2012 Olympics, and I was like, If she can do it, I can do it.” Indeed, Douglas’s triumph in London had an unexpected and lasting influence—it helped reshape the landscape of participation in American women’s gymnastics.

In 2013, Simone Biles captured her first World Championship title, driven in part by the trail Gabby Douglas had blazed just a year earlier. Together, their achievements sent a powerful message: Black women belong at the top of the gymnastics world. And the ripple effect was real. By 2021, Black women made up about 10% of NCAA Division I gymnastics scholarship athletes, with slightly higher representation on the U.S. national team, numbers that were once significantly lower.

Gabby Douglas opened the door wide in London, becoming the first Black woman to win Olympic all-around gold. Simone Biles stormed through it in Rio, cementing her legacy and pushing boundaries with every move. And in Paris, she reminded the world that greatness knows no age, no limits.

Simone, inspired by Gabby, has carried the torch with pride. Now, as Gabby receives her long-overdue induction into the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame, her influence shines brighter than ever. But as we look ahead, could the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics bring both legends back into the spotlight, this time in front of a roaring home crowd?

Simone Biles and Gabby Douglas might show up in the LA Olympics 

Simone Biles and Gabby Douglas didn’t get the fairytale reunion fans hoped for in Paris. The two Olympic icons, who have redefined what it means to be champions, never got the chance to share the stage. But fast forward three years, and the possibility of seeing them together at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics is starting to spark real excitement.

In a recent interview with L’Équipe, Simone offered a candid glimpse into her life post-Paris—and spoiler alert: it’s not all about medals anymore. “I’m trying to enjoy life, travel, spend time with my husband, and really live as a woman,”  she shared. Her words echoed a refreshing shift from golds and glory to balance and self-discovery. And as for another Olympic run? She’s leaving the door slightly ajar.

“To return, it would have to be something that genuinely excites me,” the 28-year-old admitted. “The Games are still so far away. My body is changing, and I felt it in Paris.” Clearly, any return hinges on both her passion and physical condition.

Gabby Douglas, meanwhile, had her own tough call to make. In June last year, she revealed that a foot injury during practice had forced her to end her 2024 comeback. In a heartfelt Instagram post, she wrote, “I’m sad to say that due to a foot injury during practice, I will not be able to continue my 2024 journey. This may be the end of this chapter but not the end of my gymnastics story.” So, what’s next for these two icons? While neither has confirmed anything, the idea of both Simone and Gabby appearing—whether on the mat, in the booth, or as honored guests—at the LA 2028 Games feels not just possible, but poetic. After all, few stories in gymnastics are as powerful as theirs.