Gabrielle Douglas, the reigning all-around Gold Medalist in the London Olympics in 2012, failed to defend her championship when she finished third in the floor competition
Douglas, 20, put on a what observers and pundits characterized as a fabulous performance, earning a score of 60.131, the third best score of all countries competing, but still won’t be seeing the Aug. 11 finals in Rio.
Why? Douglas was barely beaten out by her own teammate Aly Raisman. And since Simone Biles finished first — and only two athletes from each country are allowed in the finals — Douglas was automatically eliminated from the Finals.
To compound her pain, Douglas’ score was just less than half a point off from Aly’s score of 60.607. She and Raisman were also neck-and-neck in the qualifiers for the 2012 London Games when Gabby took home the gold.
Fans are irate because Douglas was seen as putting on a mistake-free performance, whereas teammate Raisman was seen almost falling during her exercise. Therefore, the fans believe Douglas should have been in the finals with superstar Biles, not Raisman.
Douglas backers unloaded on social media. Here is a sampling of their rage on Douglas’ elimination.
Photos: Instagram
No. I’m mad. Gabby freaking WORKED that beam and Aly nearly falls off & they get the same score……Bye.
— lexxi✨ (@Lexxxellent) August 8, 2016
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I have a headache trying to figure out how Aly still beat Gabby after she almost fell? pic.twitter.com/uENQhcCMY7
— Karissa❤️ (@RissaSneakQueen) August 8, 2016
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Them judges cheated gabby ?
— oohh im outta heree (@TheMo_Alo) August 8, 2016
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So Aly can noticeably lose her balance and still score higher than Gabby who did nothing wrong ? pic.twitter.com/yphjMfI78g
— JaeParadise✨ (@ForeverJaela) August 8, 2016
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I’m not defending gabby what’s so ever .. But she had a perfect execution and dismount and the other girl almost fall? Wtf ? I don’t get it
— KEYON (@kxyonn) August 8, 2016
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I may not be the biggest Gabby fan but she did her job today perfectly and she handled not getting to defend her AA gold with such grace
— rules of gymnast (@rulesofgymnast) August 8, 2016
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So you telling me Aly can almost fall and gets a better score than Gabby who did perfectly fine ? pic.twitter.com/yaX3HQIs4D
— AJ.♠ (@austin_j64) August 8, 2016
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I don’t understand … Gabby and ally did the same exact routine .. But ally made a huge mistake && still got a higher score ?
— Karissa❤️ (@RissaSneakQueen) August 8, 2016
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How did this girl almost fall off the beam and still get the same score as Gabby??? pic.twitter.com/ajihQS3MJt
— Hadiyah (@HadiyahisFAB) August 8, 2016
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Gabby didnt even almost fall. And they gave the other girl the same score pic.twitter.com/fNntImbI7d
— Lamar (@lamarGarrard) August 8, 2016
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Aly beat Gabby?… pic.twitter.com/OevlLXw0FH
— Aaronjiii (@AaronJiii) August 8, 2016
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How the girl almost fall off the beam and get a way higher score than gabby nd Gabby does it great wit no mistake
— Lamar Brown (@RTS_Lamar_9) August 8, 2016
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SHE SHOULD’VE FELL OFF THE BEAM. GABBY DESERVES IT. pic.twitter.com/2gsqk420El
— Lemons (@beyupdates_) August 8, 2016
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I just want Gabby and Simone together pic.twitter.com/8rmOOdKS0a
— Bone Apple Tea (@shakiraaevans) August 8, 2016
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It’s 2016 and people are still bashing Gabby’s hair. ? Well, she’s in Rio and you’re watching her. So who’s really winning here?
— tanisha / #BLM (@Tani5ha) August 8, 2016
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It’s 2016 and people are still bashing Gabby’s hair. ? Well, she’s in Rio and you’re watching her. So who’s really winning here?
— tanisha / #BLM (@Tani5ha) August 8, 2016
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