Gabby & The Gold

If you ask any gymnast to recall an early memory that is still vivid, you may hear about the first time they mastered the cartwheel. But, it probably wasn’t when they were three years old! By the time, Gabby Douglas was four she was already cartwheeling on one hand and destined for greatness.

As impressed as most were when they saw this little three year-old from Virginia cart wheeling all over the place, it pales in comparison to the show she put on for America at the Olympic Trials.  Douglas automatically qualified for the 2012 Olympic games in London by winning the all-around competition at the Trials.

The road hasn’t always been easy for Gabby. A courageous 14 year-old in 2010, Douglas moved from Virginia to Des Moines, Iowa for the opportunity to train with Liang Chow.  Of course, training with the coach of 2008 Olympic balance beam champion, Shawn Johnson, probably opened new doors for Gabby’s already decorated career. However, moving across the country to dedicate herself to her sport showed tremendous commitment that’s paying off now.

As the only automatic qualifier, Douglas headlined the United States women’s gymnastics team as it headed into London. McKayla Maroney, Aly Raisman, Kayla Ross, Jordy Weiber, and Gabby took gold as a team. Now, Gabby is solo gold and the new face of U.S. women’s gymnastics.