ATLANTA — If you watched the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, you're almost definitely familiar with the Magnificent Seven, including one of its members: Dominique Dawes.
11Alive's Jennifer Bellamy sat down with Dawes, a three-time Olympian, four-time Olympic medalist and the first African-American to win an individual medal in Olympic gymnastics. They talked all things Olympics and Dawes' career since.
Simone Biles and Team USA 2024
Dawes had immense praise for this year's gold-winning women's gymnastics team, and especially for superstar Simone Biles.
"Simone Biles has been a phenomenal leader for team USA," Dawes said. "She has been very vocal about everything about the sport of gymnastics and trying to make sure it's a positive experience for all."
Biles' good sportsmanship stuck out to Dawes, and how that spirit has developed since her time on the mat.
Remember the 1996 games and the Magnificent Seven
Dawes competed in Barcelona in 1992, Sydney in 2000 and - of course - Atlanta in 1996, when she and the Magnificent Seven won the first ever gold medal for the U.S. in women's gymnastics team competition.
While many people think of the celebration of the gold, Dawes actually most remembers when she took a fall during the all-around competition.
"It was a really a dark moment for me in my athletic career at that time," she said. "But then years later, it became a wonderful lesson in life, and it's helped build my character and shaped me into the, the wife that I am today, the mom that I am today and the entrepreneur that I am today. So, when I look back at my memories, it's not about standing on top of the podium; it's really coming back and developing that resilience and grit from that tough time."
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Nontraditional Olympic sports
Dawes shared that one thing she loves about the Olympics is the rise of "nontraditional sports," like breaking and skateboarding.
"I love the fact that these non traditional sports are taking center stage and it's really opening the eyes of every young girl and boy that's watching the Olympic Games ... maybe they can try their hand at a nontraditional sports that's out there for them to thrive and become great at."
Dawes' gyms and creating a safe, balanced space
Dawes has founded two locations in the Washington D.C. area - with a third coming - of her Dominique Dawes Gymnastics and Ninja Academy. She said she was inspired to start the work when when survivors of Larry Nassar came forward with their abuse stories.
Now, her goal is to create an empowering, uplifting space for all of her students and to give them balanced childhoods that allow for other activities besides gymnastics.
"It's all about creating a healthy and empowering and encouraging culture in the sport of gymnastics," Dawes said.
New partnership with the Falcons
Dawes also shared about her new, limited partnership with the Atlanta Falcons' new ownership group and how she will be cheering the team on during the fast-approaching football season.
"Atlanta has always been like a second home to me, obviously winning gold here 28 years ago," she explained. "Atlanta's always had a special place in my heart, and I'm excited to be the Atlanta Falcons' biggest cheerleader out there."
The rest of the Olympics
Though Team USA women's gymnastics have already won the gold, Dawes and her family are still watching and cheering on Team USA going into the rest of the Olympics, especially as track & field kicks into high-gear.
"I want them to know: no matter what, if you bring home gold for team USA or you don't, we're there and rooting for you every step of the way, because the Olympic Games is an opportunity, especially during these times where there's a lot of strife going on in the world where we are celebrating men's and women's achievements," Dawes said. "These are opportunities where we get to build memories, lasting positive memories with our faith, families and friends."