SILVER SPRING, Md. — Dominique Dawes is now the first gymnast to be inducted into the Maryland State Athletic Hall of Fame. Speaking to the Silver Spring native now, she's proud of the history she was able to make, but even more proud of the inspiration she passed on to the next generation.
Back in 1986, Dawes made history at the Olympics as the first African-American gymnast to bring home a gold medal. She's won several medals and championships since then, and she continues to achieve and inspire beyond the mat. She told WUSA9 about seeing the impact on the sport of gymnastics through younger stars like Simone Biles.
"I feel like I'm a proud mom, I mean the fact that I'm 47 years old I could have birthed her. She is 26 years old. She is exceeding everyone's expectations she is just a leader on and off the gymnastics floor mat," Dawes said.
She also talked about Gabby Douglas who won it all in 2012 and made history, becoming both the first American to claim gold medals in the team and individual all-around events and the first Africa-American to win the all-around title.
"I was in tears when she made history because I started to realize the impact that I was able to make on the next generation," Dawes said.
Her impact was also felt at the U.S. Gymnastics Championships, when women of color swept the podium.
"I couldn't be prouder to know that I was able to plant some seeds of inspiration in each and every one of them," Dawes said.
Her influence goes beyond Olympians. She owns two gymnastics academies in Rockville and Clarksburg. She said she is trying to change the negative culture around the sport.
"I always vowed to myself that if I had children I did not want to put them in the sport of gymnastics because it really wasn't worth the sacrifice. I'm very honored and blessed that I was able to accomplish what I accomplished, but I feel as if that road was not worth it," she said. "That's where I feel as if I can do it in a more positive way."
She said the goal of the academies she owns is not creating future Olympians.
"It's not about them striving to be the next Dominique Dawes or the next Simone Biles. It's about them striving to be the best version of who they are each and every day. As a mother of four, I want my kids to be health and I want them to be confident. That matters more than them standing on top of a podium."
The Olympic champion will be honored with a life-sized statue in early March. Montgomery County commissioned the sculpture, created by Brian Hanlon, which will be featured at the Recreation and Aquatics Center in Silver Spring, Dawes' hometown.