10 Rio Olympians Who Might End Up on the Upcoming Season of Dancing With the Stars

Aug 9, 2016; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Gabby Douglas (USA) competes during the women’s team finals. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Gabrielle Douglas, Gymnastics

Simone Biles might not be able to do it this season, but they may still want a gymnast, and while the name of at least one from London has come up, they’re going to get one of the Final Five if at all possible. They’ve had great success with the ladies of the American Olympic gymnastics team. All three of the ones who have competed have provided high-quality dancing to watch, and have at least made the semi-finals. The gymnasts as a group see to be all for the show. Biles even said she’d like to do it in the spring. Gabby Douglas has even performed on the ballroom floor before, showing up in Shawn Johnson’s freestyle along with her London teammates during the All-Star season.

If they decided to ask another gymnast after confirming they couldn’t get Biles. They’re left with three choices, since Aly Raisman’s done the show already. Of those three, Douglas is by far the highest profile, especially with the team and all-around titles from London on her resume. Also, unlike her three younger teammates, who are on the rise and would have a full schedule, Douglas’ career is winding down. This might be a good time for her to pursue another kind of success, especially after all the racially-tinged criticism she’s gotten over everything that’s happened in Rio. Winning Dancing with the Stars would be one way of showing those critics up, and if she gets into that cast, she’s got a pretty good chance of doing so.

Next: Lilly King, Swimming