Dominique Dawes was born on November 20, 1976 in Silver Spring, Maryland to Loretta and Don. She has a sister Danielle and a brother Don. She trained at Hill's Gymnastics under Kelli Hill. She began gymnastics at the age of six.
She saw her first elite competition in 1988. Dominique finished 17th all-around at Nationals. In 1989, she finished fourth all-around at the American Classic. At the US Olympic Festival she was 12th all-around. This competition served as the junior national championships. Dominique saw her first international competition. She finished 16th all-around at the Konica Grand Prix.
In 1990, she finished sixth all-around at the American Classic. Dominique improved to third at the National Championships. She competed at one international meet that season. In 1991 she competed in the American Cup and International Mixed Pairs. She took second all-around at the Dutch Open before winning the floor title at the US National Championships. She pulled out of the world team trials due to an injury.
Dominique came back strong in 1992. Dominique won the Dodge Open and competed at the World Championships. She finished a strong fourth all-around and first on bars at Nationals. Dominique successfully made the Olympic team. She took home a bronze medal.
She emerged as a team leader in 1993. At the American Classic she finished second all-around. Dominique traveled to England for the World Championships. A fall on vault kept her from winning the all-around title. However, she took home two silvers, one on beam and one on bars. Before Nationals, Dominique took home the US Classic all-around title. At Nationals, Dominique finished second all-around. She won vault and beam.
Dominique competed in the American Cup for the third time in 1994. This time she one every event except for beam. She also won the International Mixed Pairs meet. Dominique traveled down under for Worlds. Once again, a fall on her vault kept her from winning the meet. She came back to sweep the golds at the National Championships. Dominique won the world team trials. She led the USA to a silver medal. She competed at two meets in Japan to finish off her season.
Her 1995 season was full of injuries. She did, however, win the bars and floor titles at Nationals. She came back strong in 1996. Dominique took home the bronze on beam at Worlds early in the season. She finished sixth all-around at nationals after a disastrous first day. Dominique won every event in the event finals. She won the Olympic Trials and headed for her second games. Dominique won the team title. She also won a bronze on floor. After time off, she trained for a few months before making the 2000 Olympic Team.
Dominique has performed in several plays. She is currently the president of the Women's Sport Foundation.
 |
Fast Facts
 Name: Dominique Dawes
Birthday: November 20, 1976
Club: Hill's
|
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS
Ten Time US National Team Member
2000: Olympic Games Particpant
1996: Olympic Team Champion
1996: World Championships- 3rd BB
1994: World Team Championships- 2nd
1994: US National Champion
1993: World Championships- 2nd UB, BB
1992: Olympic Games- 2nd TM
1992: US National Bar Champion
|
Click Here to View
Dominique's Videos
|
Photos © Getty
