Olympic Champion Gabby Douglas Inspires Next Generation Gymnasts

(Collierville, TN) At Just 16, Gabby Douglas has made Olympic history, becoming the first African-American woman to win gold in the all-around gymnastics competition at the Summer Olympics. Now, Douglas is inspiring the next generation of Black gymnasts.

They`re quick, strong and passionate about an ultimate goal.

“To go to the Olympics and win the all-around,” said 10-year-old Mariah Patterson, she is one of  about 100 girls practicing 30 hours a week at Gymstars in Collierville.
She`s worked on her dream, since she was 3 years old.

“I miss out on some of my friend’s birthday parties, but one day I hope it will all pay off,” said Patterson.

With Gabby Douglas` historic gold medal performance in London, Mariah`s dream seems a little easier to grasp.
 
” I was thinking maybe one day I could be in the same position as Gabby Douglas,” expressed Patterson.

The fifth grader won`t be old enough to go for the gold in the 2016 Olympic Games, but 15-year-old Nuriya Mack will.

” I got this app that allowed me to watch her live.  I shouldn`t have watched through practice,  but I did.  Then I watched it at home and I cried,” said Mack.

Nuriya and her friends say Douglas` win for them, broke barriers.

” I didn`t think it was impossible, but no one had ever done it.  For her to do it, it was a real big deal to me,” said Mack.

Gymstars Coach and owner Donna Alexin says Gabby`s Gold is colorless.  The 16 year old`s story of sacrifice  is what she wants to stick with her gymnasts.

” You might set your goals for the moon, you`ll land in the stars,” said Alexin.

It`s Gabby Douglas`s perseverance that Nuriya is also in awe of.

“Right before the Olympics she wanted to quit.  I thought, ‘wow what if she had quit?  What if she never took that chance to do it?’  That spoke to me, I decided im going to take a chance and go to the 2016 Olympics,” expressed Mack.

Nuriya, who’s already competing in national events, says she`ll start homeschooling next week, so she`ll have more time to practice.  Just to have a chance at flying like Gabby.

“Just everything about her inspires me,” said Mack.