13 Black Women Who Changed The Face Of Gymnastics

Simone Biles and Gabby Douglas are two extraordinarily talented young Black gymnasts who have taken the world by storm over the last few years, but there's also been a few other ladies who set the bar high and left lasting marks in their own ways.
Here's a look at 13 Black women who helped change the face of gymnastics.

By Rachaell Davis · July 18, 2016

Dominique Dawes

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

Dominique Dawes

Gabrielle Douglas

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.

Gabrielle Douglas

Simone Biles

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.

Simone Biles

Diane Durham

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

Diane Durham

Luci Collins

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

Luci Collins

Kyla Ross

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

Kyla Ross

Betty Okino

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

Betty Okino

Sophina DeJesus

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.