SILVER SPRING, Md. (7News) — Olympic gold medalist Dominique Dawes opened a new gymnastics academy in her hometown, Silver Spring, Maryland.
Dawes earned her gold medal in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics when she was part of the “Magnificent Seven” U.S. team.
The three-time Olympian and the first Black woman to win an Olympic gold medal in gymnastics
SEE MORE | Md. Olympic medalist Dominique Dawes honored with sculpture in Silver Spring
The Silver Spring native opened her first academy in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We understand the importance of gymnastics as a sport, but we also recognize the toxic culture that has plagued the sport in the past. Our goal is to change this paradigm and create a healthy and nurturing environment for all children,” Dawes notes on the academy’s website.
Dawes has opened nine academy locations so far including Texas, Georgia and around the DC, Maryland and Virginia areas.
Local Story
