One of the toughest Olympic sports in which to repeat as a gold medalist is gymnastics. Gabby Douglas is going to Rio to attempt something we haven’t seen since 1968—repeat as Olympic champion in the all-around event.
Vera Caslavska of Czechoslovakia did it in 1968. In 1980, Nadia Comaneci of Romania came close, but received a silver medal after winning gold in 1976 in Montreal.
Douglas was a surprise gold medal winner in 2012. She was 16 and weighed 94 pounds. Four years later she’s matured and is taller as well.
Gymnastics is a teenager's sport. At 20, Gabby is now a woman.
She's training again and understands she will not be the best U.S. gymnast going to Rio – that is Simone Biles, who is the favorite to win Gold in the women's all-around.
The New York Times did an excellent feature on Gabby’s road to try and qualify for Team USA and try and defend her Olympic title.