The Olympic Games are filled with the greatest athletes who demonstrate, without a shadow of a doubt, their sheer athleticism, raw determination, and awe-inspiring spirit for their respective countries. Some of these athletes have gone on to do the impossible in times of uncertainty and are forever cemented in the history books. This is why we decided to check up some of the greatest athletes in Olympic history, take a look!
Dominique Dawes – Gymnastics
In the gymnastics community, Dominique Dawes is known as ‘Awesome Dawesome.’ Dawes accomplished a lot but is highly notable as being the first African-American woman to win an individual Olympic medal in artistic gymnastics, and also the first black person of any nationality or gender to win an Olympic gold medal in gymnastics. After retiring, she served as President of the Women’s Sports Federation from 2004–2006, she’s the first spokeswoman for the Girl Scouts of the USA’s “Uniquely Me”, and she is the co-chair for the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition.
Dominique Dawes Gymnastics
Kristi Yamaguchi – Figure Skating
Up next is the legend herself, Kristi Yamaguchi. In ladies’ singles alone, Yamaguchi is the 1992 Olympic champion, is a two-time World champion in 1991 and 1992, she is and the 1992 U.S. champion. She was a pair skater with Rudy Galindo, is the 1988 World Junior champion and is also a two-time national champion (1989 and 1990). In December of 2005, Yamaguchi was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame. In 2008, she was the winner of Dancing with the Stars. Apart from being a wife and mother, she is also a children’s book author.
Kristi Yamaguchi – Figure Skating
