Simone Biles and Gabby Douglas are probably the first names that come to mind when you think about gymnastics. However, the truth is there’s a long list of Black female gymnasts to know in the sport. From trailblazers to up-and-coming stars, these women continue to proudly represent the Black community on and off the floor mat.
Dominique Dawes
Dominique Dawes is a former Olympian and legend in gymnastics. Dawes was part of the U.S. national gymnastics team for 10 years. At the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, she was the first Black gymnast to win an Olympic gold medal. Throughout her career, Dawes was coined the nickname “Awesome Dawesome” for her jaw-dropping tumbling passes. After winning four Olympic medals in total, she retired in 2000. During the global pandemic in 2020, Dawes created the Dominque Dawes Gymnastics & Ninja Academy. The academy, now with three locations nationwide, builds community amongst children interested in gymnastics and ninja fitness.
Rebeca Andrade
Rebeca Andrade is a decorated gymnast who rose to stardom after the 2020 Summer Olympic Games. Raised in São Paulo, Brazil, Andrade had humble beginnings raised by a single mother with eight children. Fast forward to the 2020 Olympics, she won gold and silver. In addition, she was the first South American female gymnast to earn an Olympic medal. Andrade turned heads again at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, winning four additional medals. She won her sixth Olympic medal during the floor exercise at those Olympic Games, becoming the most decorated South American Olympian.
Jordan Chiles
Jordan Chiles first captured the eyes of Black America during the 2024 Olympics. There, she stood next to Simone Biles and Rebeca Andrade as part of the first all-Black gymnastics podium. Chiles is no stranger to hurdles in her career. During the women’s floor finals at those Olympic Games, she originally landed fifth place. However, her coach inquired about the result. Suddenly, she landed in third place, winning a bronze medal. However, days later, Chiles’s medal was stripped. The Court of Arbitration for Sport determined she submitted the inquiry too late. To this day, Chiles is still fighting to rightfully earn her title back. In March, she’s releasing “I’m That Girl: Liking The Power Of My Dreams,” a book detailing her rise.
Simone Biles
At just 27 years old, Simone Biles is arguably the greatest gymnast of all time. With 11 Olympic medals and 30 World Championship medals, Biles is for a fact the most decorated gymnast in history. She was first introduced into the gymnastics world at the age of six. Biles’s first Olympic Games was in Rio in 2016. There, she won four gold medals. The last time a woman achieved this was in 1974. Recently, at the 2024 Olympic games, Biles secured a silver medal in the women’s artistic gymnastics individual floor routine. That same year, Netflix released “Simone Biles Rising,” a two part docuseries showcasing her return to the 2024 Olympic games. Currently, Biles is married to Jonathan Owens, an NFL safety for the Chicago Bears.
Gabby Douglas
Gabby Douglas first competed at the 2012 Olympics in London, where she undeniably made history. Douglas was the first African American to win the individual all-around gymnastics title. At the same Olympics, she also was the first American to win gold medals in the team and individual all-around events. In 2024, she withdrew from the U.S. Gymnastics Championships after getting injured during training. Now, Douglas is gearing up to return for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, California.