B V O V
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O LY M P I C C H A M P I O N:
Still the Same Gabby!
Poised and ref lective as
she prepared to perform
the last of four routines
as a member of the U.S.
gymnastics team competing
in the 2012 Olympics, she
looked straight ahead—
her lips moving in silence
as though she were talking
through her routine in
advance.
"I've always relied on
my faith," Gabby would
l ate r e x pl a i n . " Ev e r y
time I watch the footage
from the Olympics, I can
see my lips, and they're
m o v i n g b e c a u s e I 'm
praying. It's always been
a part of me. I've always
used it during training
and competitions."
Gabby was on her way
to ma k ing h istor y by
w inning t wo Oly mpic
gold meda ls. She was
about to become the first
black woman, and only
the fourth American, to
win gold in the individual
a l l-around in women's
g y mnastics. Her body
At a time when, like most young girls her age,
she should have still been celebrating turning 16,
contemplating the excitement of boys and dating, and contemplating the excitement of boys and dating, and
anticipating getting her driver's license, Gabrielle Douglas anticipating getting her driver's license, Gabrielle Douglas
was facing the biggest challenge of her young life. was facing the biggest challenge of her young life.
Ignoring the sea of television cameras recording her Ignoring the sea of television cameras recording her
every move as she stepped out onto the grandest stage every move as she stepped out onto the grandest stage
Olympic competition has to offer, Gabrielle, or Gabby as
she has come to be known, had only
one thing in mind.
a c he d — t he re s u lt of
hou rs upon hou rs of
i nten s e t r a i n i n g a nd
practice, and injuries she
suffered leading up to the
competition. Her heart
ached, too, due to the
loneliness of being more
than a thousand miles
away from her family for
nearly two years, while
she was in training. And
more recently came the
personal attacks—hurtful
criticism from insensitive
onlookers who paid more
