16 Year Old Gabby Douglas the Only African-American on the U.S. Olympic Women’s Gymnastics team
Gabby Douglas’ star is shining bright as she represents the U.S. at the London Olympics. 16 year old Douglas finished in first place during the U.S. Olympic trials which earned her a place on the U.S. team.
Douglas is the only Black female on the U.S. women’s team and she has high hopes of excelling like other African-American gymnasts who competed at the Olympics before her. She cites her top role model as Dominique Dawes who competed three times at the Olympics and was also the first African-American to win a medal in an individual Olympic gymnastics event.
The teen Olympian had the pleasure of meeting Dawes, gushing,
”It was actually supposed to be a surprise, and I was just so shocked and so thrilled after all these years I could finally meet my role model.”
Highly acclaimed Jordyn Wieber is the reigning world champion but was recently upset by Douglas at the U.S. Olympic trials. Douglas beat Wieber by one-10th of a point.
Speaking about one of her training partners, Shawn Johnson, who also did well at the 2008 U.S. Olympic trials, Douglas said she was gaining confidence from training with her, saying,
“I kind of watch her on the side sometimes seeing how quick and how precise her arms are on beam, so I kind of take that in. If she’s crooked she fixes it in the air, now she lands straight. So I kind of watch her and see how she handles the pressure.”
Douglas who has a bubbly personality said,
“I love showing off for the crowd, getting my release so high…I can just hear the gasp. They’re just like ‘Oh.’ And I’m just like, ‘I’m just going to catch the bar, guys, like calm down, I got this.’ Just seeing their reactions it’s so awesome.”
The 16 year old is optimistic about being successful in London. She is on what many speculate is the strongest U.S. women’s Olympic gymnastics team since 1996 in Atlanta. She is expected to have a big impact on the U.S. chances of winning the gold medal.
40 Responses to 16 Year Old Gabby Douglas the Only African-American on the U.S. Olympic Women’s Gymnastics team
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This should be clear that you are referring to Gymnastics. African American women ARE represented on other teams.
YouGo girl! I love Gabby . I hope she win all the gold
Did you not read the Title Line? It’s clearly stated that she’s the only African-American on the gymnastics team.
LOL Smith
I saw her and I knew she was a Gold Medalist and will win one for not just herself but her family and team USA I see The Gold around her neck. Pray that she remains calm and focused.
Kyla Ross also has African American lineage through her father who is African American and Japanese. Her mother is Philopino and Puerto Rican.
The title of the article says……
16 Year Old Gabby Douglas the Only African-American on the U.S. Olympic Women’s Gymnastics team
That is clear to me!!
I love the article but shouldn’t the word “gymnastic” be placed in the article title? It make is seem as if she is the only African American on the entire Olympic team. Just a thought!
Also, please note that while she is considered a “replacement athlete” Elizabeth Price, who also is African American WILL go to London to represent the USA in gymnastics.
THANK YOU! I was just about to post the same thing!! Everyone keeps leaving her out! The fact that she made the team as an alternate is why she should be recognized along with Gabby!
I’m sure no disrespect was intended by anyone when Elizabeth was left out. She did in fact make it as an alternate & should be recognized for that. However, one of the little known harsh realities of gymnastics at the Olympics is, unless there is an injury PRIOR to opening ceremonies, alternate athletes will never even see the gym. So technically, the article is correct. Gabrielle will be the only African American female participating. That in no way diminishes Elizabeth’s achievement.
You Go Ahead Gabby!!!! Proud of you!!!!!
Gabby is Gold and she will return Gold. We are so proud of you .
The Golden girls from America,we are proud of all that represent
The Red White & Blue. Go team Go.
She is so cute and funny!!! I love her attitude!!! Behind every successful child is a Powerful and Strong Parent(s)!!! Go Gabby’s Mommy!!! GO GABBY GO!!!! GREAT JOB!!!! I AM SO HAPPY FOR HER!!! SORRY YOU GUYS!!! I watched her on Sunday!!! She is SO GOOD!!! OK!!! I’m going. Bye!
Good Luck Gabby!
Some people actually can not read. It is clearly stated, that Gabby Douglas, is the only African American woman, on the gymnastics team. Not that we shouldn’t be proud that she is African American, we should be proud of her for simply being one of the most talented American, irregardless of what racial group, that she is associated with. We have scores of African Americans, representing our country, in this Olympics, and most sporting events, and that is good, but we must now strive, to be among the best, in things that we believe are above our capabilities. we need to become more than merely entertainers, and athletes. we need to broaden our horizon. The unemployment rate among our race, would be sufficiently lower, if we used our talents, and our brains, to become scientist, archaeologists, and engineers, to name a few. This, I want to be a rapper, or an athlete, or nothing at all, must come to and end, or our race will surely will.
Great comment…but “irregardless” is NOT a word. #doubleNegative
“regardless of what racial group….” #futureReference
I’m sorry. This is a self-hating comment that buys into myths about African Americans. Why didn’t you simply point out role models that you find more acceptable for young African Americans instead of repeating the ridiculous stereotype that all African Americans want to be is rappers? What about the fact that Obama, the first African American president, is in office? You should have seen the excitement on the face of the children I worked with the day after Obama was nominated. One child point blank said to me, “Did you know black people can be president now?” If you want children to know they can be something else, tell them! Show them! Point out who they should look up to. And as for being “merely” entertainers and athletes, are you aware the impact entertainers and athletes have made in the world of social justice?
I meant to say significantly lower, instead of sufficiently lower, so please disregard my bad.
The thing I like most about gymnastics is it inspires young hopefuls to eat right in order to maintain proper body weight. Slender role models are much needed these days.
No they’re not needed. There are already far too many young girls who are too slender (to the point of being skeletal) as a result of the fashion industry’s insistence that “skinny” is normal and aesthetically desirable. Agreed that there are also way too many people of all ages who are unhealthily obese.
Gymnastics actually builds toned muscles. I don’t know if “Gabby got Guns”, but I suspect she may have!
Role models that do healthy things to maintain their weight are needed, but there are tons of “role models” that are slender.
cheering for u sistah “flying squirrel” get dat gold!!
Go Get ‘em Gabby!!
One way to get gold without digging.
I understand that Gabby is from Va. Beach, Va.
Go Gabb we love you so proud.Been followi ng her for long time, she is one of the. Best
Congratulations to Gabby and to all the other African American athletes who have made the team. It’s refreshing to see a positive lead story on the Your Black World e-mail newsletter!
I am so tired of people always talking comparing Athletes to Math $ Science. Or talking about we need to reach for more than just entertainment and athletics, like those are somehow low standardized achievements or something. I never hear white people saying that their people should reach for hopes, dreams and aspirations in basketball. People are talented at what they are talented at. Furthermore, everything is not about money or great success. I am sure loads of African Americans would be successful, yet very unhappy at these high profile jobs that require so much stress, and corruption. The reason we have so many black athletes and entertainers, is because God has blessed so many of us in that way. It does not make us any less of a people. And even though you didn’t not say it, why make the distinction between the two. MOVING ON…….
I am so proud of Gabby, but I am even more proud because not only do we have A black female to lead the gymnastics team, but we have a black male John Orozco. He is 20 years old and he too, took the championship away from a favorite of last year. So we are really making moves in Gymnastics. A sport BY THE WAY, that African Americans have not been prevalent in.
Agreed! Oh PS, unemployed African American here with 2 degrees. It is a crappy economy. I look up to anyone who is keeping themselves afloat!
I meant to say even though you DID NOT say it. I was typing so fast lol.
Can Elizabeth Price get some recognition also? She is a TEAMMATE of Gabby’s!
Queen Sweet 16…Go Get em Gabby. H Town loves u.
It`s her personality, don`t you see? Positive thoughts is a winner!
Negative beliefs and negative thought patterns will make your life
miserable.
How can you insult a perfect Rose?
Good Luck.I’m proud of you. It is great for little colored girls to see someone who looks like them on the world stage.
Gabby Douglas is a treasure to behold! She is intelligent ,gifted,cute ,and truly talented.We wish.hope,and pray that you bring home a medal.
I was so excited to meet Gabby Douglas father yesterday at the Westfield Mall yesterday. He was such a Nice man and most of all a God fearing man. He made my day. I pray that she wins a medal…
I am so… proud of our little sister. Not only is she awesome at what she does, she has the necessary confidence and poise; and, at such a young age. She know who her role models are, in her field; and, she is enjoying herself while doing it all. I am feeling all of her positivity just reading her comments…Keep up the great work Gabby. We love you!!!
Black, white, yellow or whatever… why does this olympic champion refuse to put her hand over her heart during our national anthem or at the very least look at our flag ? Great role model
Gabby,our Golden Girl,Go Gabby Go! We are Proud of you Gabby!