Most people had not heard
of 16 year old Gabby Douglas, like me. I first heard of her while
watching the Olympic Gymnastics trials on TV. They were held in San
Jose California from June 28-July 1 2012. I remember saying these
girls could win when gold in London. When they picked the five girls
to represent the U.S.A., Gabby Douglas was among them. The Fab 5 were
on their way to the Olympics. There has never been an
African-American woman to win gold medal in the all-around. Gabby
Douglas made history. Just like Dominique Dawes, who was on the 1996
Olympic "Magnificent Seven" gymnastics team? She was the
first African-American woman to win an individual Olympic medal in
artistic gymnastics, and the first black person of any nationality or
gender to win an Olympic gold medal in gymnastics. Gabby Douglas is a
4-feet-11 inch 90 pound ball of fire, with an infectious smile.
You
can’t help smile, with her. Gabby sacrificed a lot at a young age
to pursue her Olympic dreams. She left her home in Virginia Beach to
live with strangers in West Des Moines, Iowa, just before her 14th
birthday. Gabby wanted to quit and go back home, but her mother would
not let her. Her mother said, “I know she would never be able to
live with herself if she was sitting home on July 26 getting ready to
watch the start of the games and her name wasn’t on it,” Ms.
Hawkins said. “It was your decision to come, and you’re not a
quitter.” I’m so happy her mother would not let her quit. So many
parents give in to their kids. Gabby has had criticism about her from
the African-American community about her hair. I just want to say,
all of you who have been talking about her hair shame on you. That is
so negative, you should be proud! Gabby Douglas you do you. I look
forward to seeing Gabby Douglas in 2016 in Rio. She is going to be
more mature and stronger. Gabby Douglas just might shock the world!
LM
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