Ahead of Paris Olympics 2024, Dominique Dawes' hometown honors trailblazing gymnast with a statue

Just days before the start of the 2024 Paris Olympics, three-time Olympian Dominique Dawes was honored with a statue in her hometown of Silver Spring, Maryland.

The Montgomery County unveiled the statue at the Silver Spring Recreation and Aquatic Center (SSRAC) to honor the achievements of one of their own. Dawes was born in Silver Spring and attended the University of Maryland.

She is a three-time Olympic medalist and the first black woman to be on the U.S. gymnastics team and win an individual Olympic medal. She is one of only three American women (along with Linda Metheny and Muriel Davis-Grossfeld) to compete at three editions of the Games.

The 47-year-old won four Olympic medals — gold in the team event at the 1996 Atlanta Games, team bronzes in 1992 (Barcelona) and 2000 (Sydney), and individual bronze on the floor in 1996. She also won four medals (three silvers and one bronze) at the World Championships.

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Dominique Dawes: "It’s truly an honor, it’s very humbling"

Dominique Dawes at the 30th Annual Salute To Women In Sports Awards - File photo [PC: Getty Images]

Dominique Dawes' statue at the Silver Spring Recreation and Aquatic Center depicts her on a balance beam doing a split. She’s pointing forward, with the stars and stripes as part of the uniform displayed across her chest.

Speaking at the event, she said that she was both honored and humbled by the gesture. She also said that the statue will hopefully inspire young people and motivate them to pursue their own dreams despite obstacles.

“I grew up minutes down the road, so it’s truly an honor. It’s very humbling. It’s wonderful just to know that when young boys and girls walk by that statue they’ll have some seeds of inspiration and empowerment planted in them. They’ll read a little bit about my journey, and, hopefully with that, understand and realize that anything is possible for them,” she said. (via Washington Informer)

“There were many highs and lows in my career but it was the journey along the way that got me to where I am today and I just want them to realize that it is possible for them as well,” she added.

Dawes also won 15 US Championships during her professional career, including the all-around title in 1994. She pursued a career in acting and modeling after retirement and even served as the president of the Women’s Sports Federation, an organization that works to advance the lives of women through sports and physical activity.