Dominique Dawes, Olympic Gold Medalist and current President of the Women's
Sports Foundation, is a three-time Olympic gymnast (2000, 1996, 1992). She was
a member of the 1996 Olympic women's gymnastics team that clinched the
first-ever gold medal for the United States.
On August 13, 2005, Dawes was inducted into the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame in
Indianapolis, In.
Dawes got started in gymnastics at the age of six. Her first and only coach,
Kelli Hill, quickly saw the potential in this awkward child, and by age 10,
Dawes was competing. It was not long before the endlessly determined and
energetic young girl had set for herself the highest possible goal for a
gymnast, the Olympics.
In 1992, her dream was realized as Dawes competed with the U.S. women's team
that won a bronze medal at the Olympic Games in Barcelona. It was at the 1994
National Championships, however, that she truly arrived. She swept all four
events and won the all-round title and was subsequently named "Sportsperson of
the Year" by USA Gymnastics. In 1996,the U.S. women's squad won the gold in
Atlanta, and Dawes became the first African-American to win an individual event
medal by taking a bronze in floor exercise. Dominique to date is the only
American female gymnast to compete in three Olympics. Her explosive tumbling
and energetic style earned her the nickname "Awesome Dawesome".
Dominique's dedication to advancing all women's sports, not only gymnastics, is
truly inspiring. Dominique has always recognizd the special place that athletes
have in our society and the positive influence they can have on young people.
She has been a spokesperson for SUAD, a program of the American Sports
Education Institute, sponsored in part by the Sporting Goods Manufacturers
Association. She was featured in the SUAD video, "Being a Winner: Setting
Goals for Life" and has appeared in national public service broadcasts.
Inb 2002, Dominique Dawes graduated with a Bachelor's degree in communications
from the University of Maryland, College Park. At the 2002 National Collegiate
Athletic Association national gymnastics championship, she provided on-air
reporting with CBS Sports and commentary and analysis at the Big 12 regionals
with FoxSports Net. She also films multiple segments with Comcast Sports.
Dawes is also a member the Advisory Board of Sesame Workshop's "Healthy Habits
for Life".
