OFM_Sports Dept_Dawes_0224FINALCEN.qxp_DEPT 2 / 15 / 24 1 : 40 PM Page 1 sport and her teammates . “ Whenever I needed encouragement , they were always there by my side , ” she says . “ As a teammate I tried my best to lift their spirits as well , as the sport S P O R T S of gymnastics demanded such a vast amount of commitment and it could be physically , mentally and emotionally grueling . The support of my team - S mates really helped carry me through . ” Though she is no longer in contact with her former teammates , Dawes was able to connect with them at a reunion in 2016 at the Olympic trials . “ When we were together , we didn’t discuss our gymnastics careers , ” she recalls . “ Instead , we talked about the most important parts of our lives , which are our spouses and our kids . ” Dawes notes that she and her teammates do occasionally reach out to each other via social media . “ I think we are truly each other’s greatest fans . Most importantly I love to hear when they are doing well personally , but professionally is something nice to celebrate as well . ” While Dawes has many fond memories of her gymnastics career , she recognizes the significant per - sonal sacrifices she made to achieve her Olympic dreams . In 2016 , after news broke of the abuse alle - gations against United States women’s national gymnastics team doctor , Larry Nassar , Dawes began reflecting on the toxic culture in the sport . Though not a victim of Nassar’s , Dawes says the news “ made me process my 18 - year career in the sport of gymnastics and I started really understanding the level of abuse that I went through both physically and mentally . ” It was then that Dawes began making plans to open her own gymnastics academy that would provide a safe and empowering environment for young gymnasts . After signing a lease in 2019 , the first Dominique Dawes Gymnastics & Ninja Academy opened in Dynamic her home state of Maryland in July 2020 . Opening a new business in the midst of a global pandemic would certainly intimidate most people , but the ever - resilient Dawes stayed focused on her goal . “ It could not have been more cathartic for us — Determination for myself , for a number of my teammates and some of my more positive coaches , which was very few , ” she says . “ They Olympic gold medalist Dominique Dawes aims entered the facility in tears knowing to revolutionize the gymnastics culture by creating that we desire to do things a certain way . It has been healing not only to academies that prioritize positivity , fostering a healthy myself , but for so many people that and nurturing environment for aspiring gymnasts . went through similar experiences in the sport of gymnastics . ” By Karen Nimetz The success of the Dominique Dawes Gymnastics & Ninja Academy has led to a second location , with on to win an individual bronze medal at the 1996 t the tender age of 11 , Dominique plans to soon open a third . Dawes Olympics , where she and her teammates , known as Dawes dared to dream of Olympic says she looks forward to scaling the the “ Magnificent Seven , ” took home the gold medal A glory , as many young gymnasts businesses but wisely notes , “ I’m inthe team event . Dawes returned to the Olympics do . However , unlike others , her unwavering deter - going to be gradual about my growth in2000 , once again winning a bronze medal for the minationand unstoppable perseverance transformed because I understand there’s so much team event . Beyond her impressive physical feats , thatdream into a remarkable reality . With a rigorous still that needs to be filled on the Dawesalso made history as the first African American trainingschedule , averaging about 36 hours a week , foundation level for me to be able to gymnast to qualify , compete and win an individual Dawes’s years of hard work and dedication paid off sustain massive growth of these medal in the Olympics . when she made the 1992 Olympic team at age 15 . academies . ” Her main objective Dawes attributes her resilience , self - discipline After winning a team bronze medal that year , remains clear . “ I want to spread the and unmatched commitment to her love of the Dawes , nicknamed “ Awesome Dawesome , ” went 2 ? ORLANDO FAMILY march 2024 ORLANDOFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM