2016 Women's Olympic Trials

Gabby Douglas Makes Coaching Adjustment

Gabby Douglas Makes Coaching Adjustment

In the wake of P&G Championships, Gabby Douglas selected Christian Gallardo, one of her coaches at Buckeye, to be her primary coach from now through the 201

Jul 9, 2016 by Rebecca Johnson
Gabby Douglas Makes Coaching Adjustment
In the wake of P&G Championships, Gabby Douglas selected Christian Gallardo, one of her coaches at Buckeye, to be her primary coach from now through the 2016 Olympic Games.

Throughout her time at Buckeye, she has been predominately coached by Kittia Carpenter and Gallardo, however on the floor with her tonight at Olympic Trials stood only Gallardo.

Douglas told Tim Daggett that she needed a coach who was physically capable of spotting her, and each gymnast is only allowed one coach on the floor at the Olympics, according to NBC Olympics.

Natalie Hawkins, Douglas' mother, noted the strong bond between her daughter and Gallardo, which led Douglas to make the adjustment. She reinforced that Gallardo has been alongside Douglas throughout her comeback and works well with her.

"Gabrielle hasn't made a coaching change. Christian Gallardo has been Gabrielle's coach since she arrived at Buckeye. Since there is only to be one coach alongside Gabrielle throughout the Olympic process, Christian is that coach based on their longtime coach/athlete bond, chemistry and strength together," Hawkins told Inside Gymnastics.

While only one coach is allowed on the floor per athlete at the Games, at the Olympic Trials gymnasts may have multiple coaches on the floor with them, as many of the athletes did. Nonetheless, Douglas has chosen to move forward with Gallardo as her primary coach.


Related:
ARCHIVED UPDATES: Relive Olympic Trials Day 1
Results: Biles Leads by 1 After Olympic Trials Day 1