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Thursday, August 1, 2024

First Black Gymnast Earns Statue

Face2FaceAfrica - 

The first Black gymnast to win a gold medal finally gets a statue in her hometown

By Dollita Okine

Dominique Dawes statue. Photo via YouTube/ montgomerycountymd

At the Silver Spring Recreation and Aquatic Center (SSRAC), Montgomery County erected a statue honoring one of the area’s own Olympians, three-time gold medalist Dominique Dawes. The statue was unveiled on July 23, just days before the start of the 2024 Summer Olympics.

The 47-year-old retired gymnast told The Washington Informer, “I grew up minutes down the road so it’s truly an honor. It’s very humbling.”

She went on to say that the statue isn’t just about recognizing her work; it’s also about inspiring young people to pursue their aspirations in the face of challenges. Brian Hanlon spent a year creating the sculpture, which was inspired by a photo from the Atlanta Olympics.

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