Olympic Gold Medalist Dominique Dawes Inducted Into D.C. Sports Hall of Fame

Famed Olympic gymnast Dominique Dawes of Silver Spring and five others were named Washington Hall of Stars. Their names will be inducted into the D.C. Sports Hall of Fame and prominently displayed at both Nationals Park and RFK Stadium. Dawes captured the world’s attention, winning a bronze and a gold metal in the Summer Olympics in 1996. She became the third woman to receive the honor joining tennis great Pauline Betz Addie and 1972 Olympic gold medal-winner Melissa Belote. Dawes competed in three Olympics and became the first African-American to win a medal in individual gymnastics in the 1996 games in Atlanta. She now serves as co-chair of the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition. Dawes sat down with Patch to talk about her career after gymnastics.

Patch: After years of working as a gymnast, you are now dedicating your time to motivational speaking at churches, educational institutions among other activities like your FUNdamentals clinic. What made you decide that this was a career you wanted to do after being a professional gymnast?

Dominique Dawes: After the '96 Olympics, I was asked to share my Olympic story to corporations, colleges and to a number of different audiences, and I started it back then. I was continuing to train for my third Olympics even while I was doing the motivational speaking. Once my career was over, that was something I was very passionate about. It was very fulfilling for me, and I’m still enjoying it.

Patch: You’re a role model to many people. How does it make you feel to you know you have helped someone change their life?

Dawes: It’s definitely a humbling experience just knowing that I’ve been able to make, hopefully, a positive impact on someone else’s life. Plant a seed to help them really accomplish their dreams and whatever their goals are or to see life in a different perspective. It’s definitely a humbling experience just knowing that I was able to do that not only through my athletic accomplishments, but even in the work that I do today. I think that’s why I have continued with the motivational speaking and even the reporting that I do for Yahoo news and Yahoo sports. I look at it from a mindset that I can educate an audience; I can empower an audience and I can inspire an audience.

Patch: Next week Thursday, you will be inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame in the nation’s capital. What does it mean to you to be inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame?

Dawes: It’s a great honor! I didn’t really grow up a sports fan just because I was so busy training. I didn’t really grow up enthralled by certain sports and certain accomplishments, but since my career has been over I realize the large impact that sports and athletes have on other people’s lives. To be honored in the hall of fame for D.C. — which is not a small town and is a very influential city that has a great deal of individuals that have accomplished amazing things in sports — to be in such a class is great and humbling. 

I’m blessed that they were not only able to induct a young gymnast but willing to induct another woman. I’ve been told I’m the third woman to be inducted. I hope throughout the years that they start acknowledging more woman that have impacted the D.C. community or the metropolitan area.

Patch: Now, you know there are women who are dying to know your secret for aging so gracefully. How do you stay fit and healthy?

Dawes: I try to live an active lifestyle. I pursue things that I’m passionate about, so I’m very excited about the work that I do. I think a majority of the time throughout the day people spend working, and if you can pursue a profession that you love, it will help you age gracefully. My involvement around sports and being an Olympic athlete for so many years has made me focus a great deal more on health and fitness and nutrition. Though every now and then I do cheat, and I’m not at the gym every single day of the week and enjoy burgers and fries just as everyone else does. I judge everything that I have in moderation.

Patch: I have to ask you a Patch favorite. What is the most embarrassing song on your iPod?

Dawes : I really don’t use my iPod too often (laughter) I use my iPhone.

Patch: (laughter) Ok, iPhone.

Dawes: My favorite song by Carrie Underwood is “Jesus, Take Away the Wheel.” I love all genres of music and my coach got me into country music at a very young age. I tend to listen to a good amount of country music but also a great amount of R&B and pop.