Gymnast Dominique Dawes Wishes She Had More Support at the Olympics

As a huge fan of gymnastics and an admirer of the incredible feats these athletes can accomplish, I find myself utterly captivated by the remarkable journeys of these exceptional women. Their stories are a testament to their unwavering determination, resilience, and grace in the face of immense pressure and public scrutiny.

Olympic veteran Dominique Dawes is delighted that gymnastics has at last given priority to athlete well-being in terms of health.

To begin with, there’s currently a significant dialogue surrounding mental health, which contrasts with the past when this topic was barely acknowledged during the 80s and 90s (TopMob News interview with the gymnast who competed for Team USA at the 2000 Sydney Olympics). Back then, if athletes experienced mental blocks or emotional breakdowns, they were often stigmatized and the situations were discussed in a derogatory manner.

The US national team member showcased her ability to handle immense pressure to reach the podium, along with many other skills, resulting in a total of three bronze medals and team gold with the Magnificent Seven at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

The athlete, known for her impressive back-to-back tumbling passes earning her the nickname “Awesome Dawesome,” shared her perspective: “Life will take you on emotional and mental journeys that feel like rollercoasters. It’s essential to have people you trust and feel safe with to confide in during these times, as well as allowing yourself permission to rest when needed.”

At the age of 47, she now heads the Dominique Dawes Gymnastics & Ninja Academy in Maryland. Her inspiration came from observing Simone Biles, gymnastics’ uncontested champion, bravely dealing with a harrowing experience of “twisties” at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which led her to withdraw from multiple events.

Despite falling short of the ambitious target to win six gold medals (one in team finals, all-around competition, beam, floor, vault, and even the challenging uneven bars), Biles made the right decision for herself at that moment, according to Dawes. This choice likely preserved her mental, emotional, and physical well-being as well.

During her Olympic career from 1992 in Barcelona to Atlanta and Sydney, Dawes shared that her daily routine consisted of two-hour morning sessions and five hours of practice in the evenings. This schedule is common for athletes preparing for the Olympics, with a strong emphasis on repetitions, conditioning, and flexibility exercises. Unfortunately, mental health received less attention during that time.

If the culture had been kinder and more compassionate, she believes her emotional well-being might have improved somewhat.

If given the chance, she would prefer to modify her gym experience by having a more nurturing environment. This means having coaches who value her mental and emotional well-being, treating her as an unique person rather than a mere source of income for their business.

She made history as the first Black woman to claim a gold medal in Olympic gymnastics. As an added benefit, she acquired essential life-winning abilities in the process.

She shared that her experience, marked by a challenging stress fracture which prevented her from participating in the 1995 World Championships, taught her the importance of persistence. Life’s path is seldom smooth, she explained, but by taking one step at a time and pushing forward despite difficulties, we gain strength.

I’ve been there, feeling consumed by my passion, and let me tell you, it’s not always a smooth road. There will be setbacks and errors, but trust me, those are precious lessons. And guess what? I want to share this invaluable knowledge with others.

Regarding additional messages, Dawes playfully remarked that Biles is self-sufficient and doesn’t require guidance from him. Nevertheless, as chair of the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition, Dawes offered some recommendations for all Team USA athletes, including Biles, Jade Carey, Jordan Chiles, Suni Lee, and Hezley Rivera.

To begin with, don’t forget to fill up your energy reserves, just like Dawes does with a serving of Skippy peanut butter, the preferred spread for USA Gymnastics. She not only relishes this “delicious, wholesome protein treat,” but also shares it frequently with her daughters Kateri (10), Quinn (8), and 6-year-old twin sons Lincoln and Dakota: “They are incredibly active and full of energy, so this is an excellent way to keep their energy levels sustained.”

To maintain morale at the same level, she recommends that competitors pay equal attention to their mental health as they do to their training workouts.

Based on my own experiences, I strongly believe that taking deep breaths is an effective way to calm your mind and reduce stress. When I find myself overwhelmed or distracted, especially during high-pressure situations like watching the Olympic Games, I’ve found it helpful to have a go-to practice that helps me refocus.

Instead of jumping ahead and focusing on the big picture of participating in the Olympics with its opening ceremonies and the start of the games, it’s better to concentrate on taking each practice session individually. The unexpected can always occur.

Certainly, those gymnasts on Team USA who have reached great heights in their sport are well aware of this truth. Here’s a look at what some of your preferred gymnasts have been doing since they last used the chalk.

—Reporting by Nikaline McCarley

A trailblazer in gymnastics, she was among the early female athletes to significantly increase the sport’s popularity in the country, achieving this through her impressive displays at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, despite not earning any medals. Rigby retired following the 1972 Games and is most famously remembered for portraying Peter Pan in the theatrical production of the same name, which garnered her a Tony Award nomination in 1991.

For several decades, Rigby has been recognized not just by theatre goers but also TV audiences. She gained popularity through her long-term role as a commentator for ABC Sports and her appearances on “The Six Million Dollar Man.” Moreover, she has been candid about her past struggle with eating disorders.

Tom McCoy, her spouse and co-parent, are joint parents to two kids, while she has two children from a past relationship.

In the ’80s, I was a renowned cultural icon before stepping back in 1986. During that time, I left an indelible mark at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics by earning five medals, including a gold in the all-around event – a historic first for American women in gymnastics. I’m blessed to be a mother of four wonderful children with my former spouse, Shannon Kelley. He was once a star quarterback at the University of Houston, and we parted ways in 2018.

In the realm outside of sports, she found her voice in politics, advocating for President Ronald Reagan during his 1984 reelection campaign and addressing the audience at the 2004 Republican National Convention. Retton made brief appearances in the movies “Scrooged” and “Naked Gun 33 1/3.” More recently, she was the first woman to be honored with induction into the Houston Sports Hall of Fame in 2020.

The retired athlete was hospitalized for severe pneumonia in 2023.

At the 1992 Barcelona and 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, she amassed a total of seven medals, making her the most decorated female gymnast in history. However, after missing out on qualifying for the 2020 Sydney Olympics, Miller shifted her attention towards her education. She earned both a business and law degree without taking the Bar Exam.

Miller continued her career by featuring in fitness videos, releasing her autobiography titled “It’s Not About Perfection” in 2015, and is a strong supporter of efforts to combat childhood obesity. She is married to John Falconetti and they have two children together.

At the 1996 Atlanta Games, she earned two medals despite suffering an ankle injury while competing on the vault. Memorably, her coach, Béla Károlyi, carried her to the podium. This remarkable event resulted in numerous media appearances, including on Saturday Night Live and Beverly Hills, 90210, as well as a meeting with President Bill Clinton. Shortly after, she chose to retire.

After becoming a school teacher, Strug further engaged in politics and even delivered speeches at the 2004 Republican National Convention. Her personal account, titled “Landing On My Feet, A Diary Of Dreams,” is currently being adapted into a movie by director Olivia Wilde. Thomasin McKenzie has been cast to portray the athlete in this upcoming feature film.

She and husband Robert Fischer share two children.

In the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, 1996 Atlanta Olympics, and 2000 Sydney Olympics, she participated and garnered a total of four medals. Among those was the team gold in 1996, making her the pioneering Black gymnast, representing any nation, to secure the first-ever gold medal.

After the Sydney Olympics, Dawes chose to retire. She has made appearances in various music videos, such as Missy Elliott’s “We Run This” from 2006, and acted out the role of Patty Simcox during a 1990s revival of Grease on Broadway.

In 2010, the athlete was appointed as a co-chair of President Barack Obama’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition. Additionally, she is passionate about raising awareness for autism. The Dawes family, which includes her husband Jeff Thompson, are proud parents of four children.

At the 2008 Beijing Games, Shawn shone among the stars, amassing four medals, one of which was a golden triumph on the balance beam. She made her retirement right before the 2012 London Games, with her fame already soaring from winning “Dancing With the Stars” in 2009 and becoming a household name.

Since 2008, she has consistently appeared on various media platforms. Her list of accomplishments includes roles on shows such as “The Secret Life of the American Teenager,” “Celebrity Apprentice,” “The Challenge: Champs vs. Stars,” “Whose Line Is It Anyway?,” “Who Wants to be a Millionaire,” and “Family Feud.” In addition, she led the Pledge of Allegiance at the 2008 Democratic National Convention and has written several books, including the young adult novel “The Flip Side” published in 2016.

Johnson is married to NFL player Andrew East since 2016, and they have three children together. The athlete, who is also an Olympian, has publicly discussed her past battles with eating disorders.

At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the gymnast won a total of five medals, among them a gold medal for the all-around competition. She decided to retire just before the 2012 London Games. Since then, she has made appearances on various shows such as “Gossip Girl,” “Make It or Break It,” and “Hellcats.” Additionally, she cameoed in the movie “Stick It” and joined the cast of “Dancing With the Stars” in 2015. In 2015, Nastia also released her memoir titled “Finding My Shine.”

In 2018, she and hockey player Matt Lombardi called off their engagement.

In 2022, she made their relationship Instagram-public with Ben Weyand, who holds the position of operations vice president at Trive Capital.

At the 2012 London Olympics, she earned two medals – one was team gold. Following her second-place finish on the vault that year, her seemingly nonchalant expression during the award ceremony went viral, making her an internet sensation.

After retiring in 2016, Maroney has been active in both acting and singing. She can be seen on various TV shows such as “Hart of Dixie,” “Bones,” and “Superstore.” In the year 2020, she debuted her first single titled “Wake Up Call.”

In 2021, she appeared in a Geico ad, during which she gave her infamous “not impressed” look.

At the 2012 London Olympics and the 2016 Rio Olympics, she was a valuable member of the victorious teams. In addition, during the 2016 Olympics, she achieved an impressive feat by winning the gymnastics all-around title, making history as the first African American to accomplish this.

After participating in the Rio Olympics in 2016, Douglas took a step back from the mat and gained significant visibility on TV and in media. She released her memoir titled “Grace, Gold, and Glory” in 2012, became the focus of the Lifetime movie “The Gabby Douglas Story” in 2014, and joined her family for the Oxygen reality series “Douglas Family Gold.”

In addition to “Kickin It” and “Undercover Boss,” I have made guest appearances on television. Furthermore, I was the winner of “The Masked Dancer” competition in the year 2020.

In 2024, she declared her return to competitive gymnastics, expressing her aspirations to participate in the Paris Olympics that year. However, unfortunately, she had to withdraw from the U.S. gymnastics championships in May because of an ankle injury.

At the 2012 London Olympics and the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games, Raisman, an American female gymnast, earned six medals – the second most for a female gymnast after Miller. Among these were the gold medal in the floor competition at the 2012 Olympics, as well as back-to-back team gold wins.

After retiring from the Rio Games, Raisman published her memoir titled “Fierce” in the year 2017. She made a brief appearance in the 2019 film “Charlie’s Angels”. In 2013, she finished fourth on “Dancing With the Stars”. The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue featured her in 2017 and 2018 as well. She has released two books: “Fierce” in 2017 and a children’s book named “From My Head to My Toes” which is scheduled for publication in 2024.

Before he became the lead on “The Bachelor” in 2018, she had a well-known romance with Colton Underwood that concluded in 2017.

At the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, the two-time medalist for the US team was Hernandez. She won gold with her teammates. Although she retired from gymnastics in 2021, Hernandez will still be present in Paris, reporting for NBC on women’s gymnastics events.

In addition to excelling in sports, Hernandez achieved victory in the 23rd season of “Dancing With the Stars” at the young age of 16. She also worked as a reporter on “American Ninja Warrior Junior,” and lent her voice to a character on Nickelodeon’s “Middle School Moguls,” which premiered in 2019. Her memoir, titled “I Got This,” was published in 2017.

Since December 2020, a New York University student who is also an athlete has been in a relationship with photographer and Olympic trampoline gymnast Charlotte Drury.

2024-07-20 13:19

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