Thursday, August 9, 2012

The First African-American Gold Medalist in the All-Around Gymnastics 2012 Gabby Douglas



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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