The 2012 Summer Olympics saw the rise of a tiny and talented phenomenon, Gabby Douglas, who blew us and her competition away in the incredibly difficult sport of Gymnastics.  Gabby won 2 Olympic Gold Medals, becoming the first African American in Olympic History to win Gold in the Individual All-Around, and the first American Gymnast ever to win Gold in both the Individual and team at the same Olympics, all at the age of 17.

Gabby was always promising, but success only comes with a lot of work.   At the age of 6, her older sister was already in gymnastics and saw that Gabby had something special, so her sister convinced their mom to let Gabby join the class.  In two years, at the age of 8, Gabby started competing and won her first all around title in the Virginia State Championship.

At the age of 12, Gabby made her first National debut.  She placed 10th.  Gabby kept competing, but did not win every time, nobody does.  Her next meet, she placed 16th and was not eligible to join the Junior Women's Team.   She then spent a little time injured, but Gabby kept working away.

At the age of 14, Gabby made the difficult decision to train away from her home and family to try with very targeted coaches in order to really push her to the fullest.  It was not an easy move or easy time.  Gabby kept going, and little by little, started placing higher and higher in competitions.

2012 was her year - starting with the US Nationals, she won Silver in the All Around.  Later at the US Olympic Trials, she placed 1st in the All Around, being the only gymnast guaranteed to go to the Olympics.  And the rest is history.

Gabby is training hard and working towards her next Olympics.