Twelve years after stunning the world gymnastics stage with a historic Olympic performance, Douglas, now 28, will compete in a qualifier for the 2024 U.S. Gymnastics Championships.
After a two-year absence and less than three months into her return to competition, the American superstar won the individual all-around title at the world championships for the sixth time.
The U.S. women won a record seventh consecutive team title at the gymnastics world championships. The team of Biles, Shilese Jones, Skye Blakely and Leanne Wong edged out Brazil and France.
What had once been a sport associated largely with white girls is increasingly dominated by women of color. And more elite gymnasts are competing in the NCAA while they go for the gold.
Biles' return is great news for USA Gymnastics, which just announced a new sponsorship deal with Nike. Also returning is Suni Lee, who took home the Olympic all-around gold after Biles dropped out.
Biles hasn't competed since the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, when she withdrew and spurred a global conversation on the pressures faced by athletes. Lee stepped into the spotlight and won all-around gold.
The two groups and their insurers agreed to a monetary payout and reforms to prevent future abuse in a major settlement with hundreds of gymnasts abused by the former U.S. team doctor
The all-around champion, who is Hmong American, says she was with a group of friends of Asian descent in Los Angeles when people in a passing car yelled at them to "go back to where they came from."
The former gymnast was instrumental in bringing serial sexual abuser Larry Nassar to justice. She says the gymnastics industry still has abusers and a system rife with problems.
"We are so excited to confirm that you will see two U.S. athletes in the balance beam final tomorrow - Suni Lee AND Simone Biles!!" USA Gymnastics said. Biles has withdrawn from other events.
"After further consultation with medical staff, Simone Biles has decided to withdraw from the event finals for vault and the uneven bars," USA Gymnastics said.
Chiles had been slated to compete in just two events in the team final: vault and floor. But with Biles out of the competition, she was suddenly competing on the balance beam and uneven bars too.
John Geddert, 63, who coached the women's gold medal team in the 2012 Summer Olympics, was charged Thursday with two dozen criminal counts. An official says he took his life later the same day.