Gabby Douglas’ road to gold has undoubtedly been filled with sweet memories, but it seems, at every turn, the 16-year-old phenom has been deterred by negativity.
Related: Gabby Douglas Gets Glam For ESSENCE [VIDEO]
In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, Douglas opens up about her experience at Excalibur Gymnastics, her former gym in Virginia Beach. While she recalls being called a “slave” by a fellow white gymnast, she also discusses a vicious prank and an attack on her physical appearance.
“According to Gabby she had run-ins as well with other gymnasts. One day in 2010, in a rush to get to the gym, she left her clothing by her locker; when she returned, her shirt was missing. ‘You don’t actually take by mistake someone’s clothes,’ Gabby tells me. And when it was apparent that she had no shirt to leave the locker room in, other gymnasts started laughing at her. Another day, a gymnast whose turn it was to scrape the uneven bars of excess chalk tried to duck the job. According to Gabby, the girl said, ‘Why doesn’t Gabby do it? She’s our slave.’ The gymnast was laughing, but Gabby did not see the humor.
Even more painful was an incident several years ago at a party where Gabby says an Excalibur staff member told her she might want to consider reconstructive surgery on her nose because of its flatness. Some other gymnasts had teased Gabby about her appearance, and she found the nose comment ‘very hurtful.’”
A coach at the gym has dismissed her claims as a “joke” and says Douglas never reported any of the incidents. Gustavo Maure, head of Excalibur Gymnastics, called Douglas’ remarks “hurtful and without merit.”
Throughout it all, Douglas has remained resilient. Earlier this week, she and the entire U.S. women’s team began rehearsals for the Kellogg’s Tour of Gymnastics Champions.
The three-month tour will open Sept. 8 in San Jose.
