Gabrielle Douglas

Molly Baer

Claim Statement:

Gabby Douglas went through many hard times in her life, never gave up, and achieved her childhood dreams. / Gabby is an inspiration to tons of people.

Gabrielle Christina Victoria "Gabby" Douglas is an American artistic gymnast. As a member of the U.S. Women's Gymnastics team at the 2012 Summer Olympics, she won gold medals in both the individual all-around and team competitions.

Early Influences/ Inspirations

"My older sister Arielle taught me gymnastics. She was taking classes, and I copied her. My family lives in Virginia, and I train in Iowa and live a with a 'host family.' Of course I miss my family in Virginia, but I know that this is what I have to do to work with the best coaches and

become the best gymnast I can be." Gabby’s older sister Arielle helped her start gymnastics. Arielle was a former gymnast and competitive cheerleader and she was determined to teach her little sister the sport she loved. Gabrielle immediately picked up her sisters love of the sport. Her mom, Natalie Hawkins, let her join a local gym where she trained and became State Champion of 2004. Liang Chow was an inspiration to Gabby. She always wanted to train and learn from the elite coach ever since she was little. Gabby had her mind set that she was going to compete in the 2012 Olympics and Liang Chao would get her there, and he did.

Obstacles

People like Gabby reach their goals because they overcome any obstacle along their journey, even when they want to throw in the towel. Gabby’s story is an inspiration to anyone who is trying to get to a better place in his or her life. “I had to face a lot coming through this journey, a lot of sacrifices, difficulties, challenges and injuries.” When Gabrielle Douglas was twelve, she asked her mom, Natalie Hawkins, if she could move over 1,000 miles away to be coached by legendary Olympic coach Liang Chow. Her mother said: “no way.” But Gabby’s persistence led Hawkins to change her mind and in 2010 the young gymnast left her home in Virginia Beach to live in West Des Moines, Iowa, with a host family. It hasn’t been easy. Besides being terribly home sick for her close-knit family, Gabby struggled with self-doubt. In an interview with Time she said she would ask the same questions over and over while training to make the US team: “Am I good enough? Can I compete with the best?” At her first major competition with Chow as her coach — the Visa U.S. national championships — Gabby didn’t perform to her potential, falling off the balance beam three times during her minute-and-a-half routine.

Last year, she told her mother she was ready to quit and go home. Once again her mother said no way. “Life is not easy. You have to fight and refuse to quit,” she recalls telling Gabby. While Gabby was initially angry after the conversation but came around saying “I’m gonna stay, Mom. I’m gonna stay and fight for my dream.”

Natalie Hawkins says letting go of her daughter was one of the hardest things ever but when it comes to watching her daughter going for the gold, “there’s no greater joy than for a parent to see their child happy.”

Qualities/Attributes

Gabby Douglas has become the first black individual all-around gymnastics gold medalist in the Olympics. Aisha Harris says, “In her short time in the public eye, Gabby has said everything exactly right. She acknowledges her place in history, but isn’t defined by it. She is focused on maximizing her own performance, but she also hopes to inspire others.” Gabby was bullied and made fun of about her race on her journey to the gold, even at her own gym. She was referred to as a “slave.” “I felt bullied and isolated from the group.” Gabby says adding “Is it because I’m black? Like those thoughts would go through my mind.” This was rough for Gabby to have to go through. Gabby says “Yes I’ve had a lot of hardships in my life and in my career, but I never let that hurt what I did in the gym. I’ve always put my heart into gymnastics and pushed myself every single day, no matter what was going on.” Gymnastics was an escape for Gabby. Gabby has so much drive, courage and determination. She never let anything slow her down or stop her.

Goals

"She has good physical talent, but she is also a very hard worker who is determined to reach her daily goals," Chow said. "This determination has been an essential ingredient in her success." Throughout her career, Gabby has had several goals and all of them were achieved. Obviously, one of the most important goals to her was to make the World Olympic Teams. She dreamt of it ever since she was little. Throughout her childhood, Gabby focused a lot on this goal. She was willing and going to do everything in her power to make it there, even if it meant leaving behind her family. That shows how much it meant to her and how passionate and determine she is about gymnastics. Aside from this goal, she had many others. One including helping kids to overcome adversity through sports. This topic was very essential to her. Gymnastics was her “outlet” from all of the hard things she was going through. This was meaningful to her and she thought it would be to others too. She just wanted to inspire people. “It’s just incredible that people come up to me and say ‘Gabby, you inspire me to do anything I set my mind to.’ It’s truly and honor,” she said.

Achievements

The list could go on and on about Gabby’s achievements. She has accomplished so much in her life; there is just too much to write. Some of her career highlights were:

v  2010, Pan American Championships uneven bars and team gold medalist.

v  2011, World Championships team gold medalist.

v  2012, Pacific Rim Championships uneven bars and team gold medalist.

v  2012, Visa Championships uneven bars gold medalist, all-around silver medalist, floor exercise bronze medalist, balance beam seventh place.

Interviews

Part of Gabby’s interview with Seventeen:

Seventeen: What would making the U. S. Olympic gymnastics team mean to you?

GD: Making the team would mean so much! I’m the youngest one competing and I’m African American. I think that would just inspire people and inspire a nation. I would love to be a role model.

17: What is a typical day like for you?

GD: I wake up at about 9 a.m., and have a few hours of school or time to relax. Then, I have practice at 2:30 p.m. with my team. We warm up, do some conditioning exercises, stretch, and then do our floor events. Practice lasts about four hours. Then I go home to eat dinner and relax!

Ethnography

What are your thoughts on Gabrielle Douglas?

-  I think she is amazing. She is a great role model and is definitely an inspiration to many people trying to pursue their dreams.

What is your opinion about Gabby leaving her family at only age 14?

-  That was her decision and she obviously made the right choice. She knew what was best for her and was going to do anything she could to achieve her dream. I know, as a mother I would not like the idea of my child leaving me so young! But I would do whatever is best for them.

Do you feel Gabby made the right decision by not quitting?

-  Gabby definitely made the right choice. She has accomplished so much and all of her hard work and determination payed off in the end.

MLA Citation:

“Gabby Douglas.” USA Gymnastics. March 2014.

“Gabrielle Douglas.” Team USA. March 2014.

“New Biopic Tells Olympic Champion Gabby Douglas’ Inspiring life Story.” Breanna Edwards. January 2014.

Douglas, Gabrielle and Michelle Burford. Grace,Gold, and Glory: My Leap of Faith.