13 Black Women Who Changed The Face Of Gymnastics

Three-time Olympian; first Black person to win an Olympic gold medal in gymnastics; first Black woman to win an individual Olympic medal in artists gymnastics

First Black woman in history to become individual all-around Olympic champion; only American all-around champion to win multiple gold medals in a single Olympic games; member of 2016 U.S. Olympic Team.

Holds record for most gold medals won by a female gymnast in World Championships history; first African-American to become World all-around champion; member of 2016 U.S. Olympic Team.

First elite U.S. Gymnast to train under legendary coach Bella Karolyi. Two-time Junior National Champion; Senior National Champion.

Became the first Black female to make an Olympics team in 1980.

Olympic Gold Medalist of the “fierce five” 2012 U.S. Gymnastics Team

World Gymnastics Championships Silver Medalist of the 1991 U.S. Gymnastics Team; Olympic Bronze Medalist of the 1992 U.S. Gymnastics Team.

Elite gymnast of the UCLA Bruins gymnastics team since 2012; gained notoriety in 2016 for viral video of floor exercise routine incorporating popular Hip Hop dance moves. 

Became first elite gymnast in history from the state of Alabama at the age of 13; member of Alabama’s 1991 NCAA Gymnastic Championship Team.

Elite University of Alabama gymnast; won 14 All-American honors; won 2 NCAA individual titles.

Elite University of Alabama gymnast; won 8 All-American honors; contributed to the teams’ 2011 & 2012 Championship wins.

Won six All-American honors and an NCAA title as a University of Alabama gymnast.

University of Alabama gymnast who was member of the 2001 bronze medal winning worlds team; earned 3 NCAA titles; earned 12 All-American honors.