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Dominique Dawes continues to change gymnastics years after historic feat

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Dominque Dawes is Olympic greatness personified as the winner of four medals across three Summer Games, so it’s no surprise the 45-year-old was tuned into the Beijing Winter Olympics this month.

Speed skater Erin Jackson, in particular, captured the gymnastics icon’s attention after putting on a dominant performance to become the first Black woman to take home a speed-skating medal in Olympic history.

“I was definitely excited for that amazing feat because I know it’s going to motivate a number of young girls of color to see speed skating as an opportunity for them,” Dawes told Just Women’s Sports.

Dawes is familiar with making history, having changed the landscape of her sport in 1996 when she became the first Black woman to win an individual Olympic medal in gymnastics. The Maryland native was also part of the “Magnificent Seven,” the first American group to win the gymnastics team competition when they came in first at the Atlanta Games.

“It’s not something I definitely stay fixated on,” Dawes says of her groundbreaking achievement. “It does warm and touches my heart when people bring up the Olympic feats and the fact that they watched those Olympic Games with a loved one and the fond memories that they still hold onto, and many times that loved one is no longer here.”

Although those Games are now 26 years in the rearview mirror, Dawes can still recall being overcome with emotion before she entered the Georgia Dome for the first time.

“It’s unlike anything I’ve experienced in life, the enormous amount of pressure,” she says. “Something that Simone Biles talked about was having the weight of the world on her shoulders, and that’s really what it felt like to be one of the leaders of Magnificent Seven for the ’96 Olympic Games.

“I had an emotional breakdown because it was so much pressure, and the weight that I felt emotionally as well as mentally that I was not only representing my country, but I was also representing my race.”

Dawes cites her teammates as her grounding force amid the stress, a feeling to which many Olympians and athletes can relate.

Mikaela Shiffrin made headlines during the Beijing Olympics after skiing out of three races, including her two best events, the slalom and the giant slalom. While onlookers searched for answers about what could have happened to the remarkably consistent skier, a welcome conversation emerged about athlete pressure, mental health and the dangers of the pursuit of perfection.

“The fans really just see everything that is on center stage, in the spotlight, when you get to the Olympic Games. They don’t know the journey, they don’t know the blood, sweat and tears, they don’t know the sacrifice,” Dawes says “They don’t recognize that you’re a human and you’re dealing with loss, and you’re dealing with pain, and you’re dealing with all the different emotions that come with just life, and that you’re also sacrificing so much to make it to the Olympics.”

Dawes started her Olympic journey at 6 years old and made her first team at 15, meaning her four-minute shot at glory was nine years in the making. The immense weight of that moment, when athletes are expected to execute on all the skills they spent preparing, can be daunting and debilitating.

“That’s what I love about the dialogue that’s happening today about mental health,” Dawes says, “because it’s OK for our young people and young adults to recognize that they need to put their mental health first.”

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Dawes competes for Team USA at the 1996 Atlanta Games. (Eric Feferberg/AFP via Getty Images)

Dawes was outspoken about the stress of competitive gymnastics in the Peacock Series “Golden.” The six-part docuseries, which Dawes helped produce, follows five elite American gymnasts on their paths to the Tokyo Olympics, including all-around champion Sunisa Lee.

More than anything, the Tokyo Games will be remembered for an unprecedented move by star Simone Biles. The American gymnast and seven-time Olympic medalist stepped back from a series of events following a sudden onset of the “twisties,” sparking widespread acknowledgement of athletes’ mental health.

“I think it’s great that she was able to listen to her inner voice and do what was best for her,” Dawes says of Biles, penning a Washington Post op-ed in July in support of the young star’s stance.

While pressure is not unique to gymnastics, Dawes is adamant that the culture in the sport must change.

USA Gymnastics has been under intense scrutiny for years over its handling of the Larry Nassar sex abuse scandal. The former USAG team doctor was convicted of sexually assaulting minors in 2018, among other charges, with at least 265 young women and girls, many of whom are gymnasts, alleging abuse.

Béla Károlyi and Márta Károlyi, who were at the helm when Nassar was on Team USA’s staff, have also been criticized for their negligence and reportedly abusive coaching techniques.

“I think there needs to be an overhaul of those that are out on the floor currently coaching that are detrimental to the overall health and well-being to these young girls and these young women that are on the floor,” Dawes says.

Gymnasts like Ali Raisman and Biles have been outspoken about their disillusionment with USA Gymnastics’ commitment to athlete safety and have repeatedly demanded change. Dawes says the right people still aren’t in positions of power, despite the athletes’ objections.

“I believe the way we can save our sport is by getting the right coaches in there, and currently, we don’t have them on the national level, in my opinion,” Dawes says.

She is also careful to point out that abuse isn’t unique to USAG, but a problem in private gyms as well. Dawes has been vocal about the toxic environment she trained in under her personal coach, and that the neglect she suffered is something she still carries with her today.

“I went through years of anxiety. I was terrified each and every morning going to practice. I would cry all the time, I was hyperventilating quite a bit,” says Dawes, who felt at the time that she didn’t have the choice of leaving the gym or the sport. Those who did walk away from gymnastics were ostracized and targeted for their changing bodies, she says.

“It made young people feel shameful about going through puberty, about growing up, about becoming a young woman,” says Dawes. “And that’s sad because it really does damage. It wrecks a young person’s self-esteem and self-worth.”

The culture that continues to plague gymnastics is why Dawes has stuck with the sport, opening the Dominique Dawes Gymnastics & Ninja Academy with her husband in an effort to reform gymnastics from the inside.

“I don’t want my poor kids to experience what I experienced,” she says. “It’s a beautiful sport, and it can be done the right way with the right people. We want to offer a positive, empowering and encouraging environment for young girls that want to pursue the sport of gymnastics.”

Dawes has plans to to expand her gym in Clarksburg, Md. in the fall of 2022, and perhaps more beyond that. She finds comfort in the fact that the pain she underwent years ago can now serve a greater purpose.

“That’s what drives me today, is I don’t want today’s generation or tomorrow’s generation to go through what I went through,” Dawes says. “I’m doing it today because I am standing up for the young Dominique.”

Golden is available to stream now, as Peacock honors Black History Month this February by spotlighting content from Black creators and about the Black experience.

Clare Brennan is an associate editor at Just Women’s Sports.

Phoenix Mercury Beat Minnesota Lynx 89-83 in OT to Tie WNBA Semifinals

Phoenix Mercury center Natasha Mack leaps for a rebound during Game 2 of the 2025 WNBA semifinals.
The Phoenix Mercury overcame a 20-point deficit to take Game 2 of the 2025 WNBA semifinals against the Minnesota Lynx. (David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)

The No. 4 Phoenix Mercury went the distance on Tuesday night, overcoming a 20-point deficit against the No. 1 Minnesota Lynx to secure an 89-83 Game 2 win in overtime — and sending the 2025 WNBA semifinals to Arizona tied at 1-1.

Even more, Phoenix's come-from-behind victory set records as the third-largest comeback in WNBA playoff history.

Mercury forward Satou Sabally led the team with 24 points, while guard Sami Whitcomb added 13 points off the bench — including the game-tying three-pointer that propelled the matchup into overtime.

"Just pride, toughness, grit. I couldn't be more proud of our group for doing that," Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts said afterwards. "I'm fired up. Phoenix is going to be rocking on Friday and Sunday."

After dominating Game 1, Tuesday's defeat marked the first time in Lynx franchise history that they lost a postseason game after holding a double-digit halftime lead.

"Suddenly, we lost our way," said Minnesota head coach Cheryl Reeve. "We didn't respond. Then when we needed to go get buckets and we had good opportunities, we weren't strong enough."

"I think we beat ourselves," forward Napheesa Collier added. "Unforced turnovers, not taking care of the ball when they were pressuring us, just keeping our composure in those situations is huge."

How to watch the Minnesota Lynx vs. Phoenix Mercury in Game 3

The No. 4 Phoenix Mercury will host the No. 1 Minnesota Lynx for Game 3 of the 2025 WNBA semifinals at 9:30 PM ET on Friday, airing live on ESPN2.

Las Vegas Aces Beat Indiana Fever 90-68 in Game 2, Even WNBA Semifinals 1-1

The Las Vegas Aces huddle after their Game 2 win in the 2025 WNBA semifinals.
The Las Vegas Aces scored a blowout win over the Indiana Fever in Tuesday's Game 2 to even their series in the 2025 WNBA semifinals. (David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images)

The No. 2 Las Vegas Aces reclaimed their contender status in Game 2 on Tuesday night, taking down the No. 6 Indiana Fever in a 90-68 blowout victory to tie their best-of-five 2025 WNBA semifinals at 1-1.

Reigning WNBA MVP A'ja Wilson fueled the Aces' bounce-back performance with 25 points and nine rebounds, backed by 10 points apiece from reserves Jewell Loyd and Dana Evans.

"I just think we came to work," Wilson said following the win. "We didn't come to work in Game 1, and that's on all of us. I think Game 2, we just decided to come to work."

Physicality on the court — as well as the referees' response to it — has played a major role in the Aces vs. Fever series, with Las Vegas clearly upping the intensity to keep Indiana at bay on Tuesday.

"It's playoffs — very physical games," said Aces forward NaLyssa Smith afterwards. "I feel like we've got to match the energy, day in and day out."

"It's hard for us to find flow when there's a foul called every 10 seconds," Fever head coach Stephanie White lamented. "When they're at the free throw line, we can't get up and down the floor, and that's a challenge."

How to watch the Las Vegas Aces vs. Indiana Fever in Game 3

The 2025 WNBA semifinals next travels to Indiana for Game 3, with the No. 6 Fever hosting the No. 2 Aces at 7:30 PM ET on Friday, with live coverage airing on ESPN2.

Chicago Sky, Dallas Wings Reportedly Keep Head Coaches After Losing Seasons

Dallas Wings forward Myisha Hines-Allen, guard Aziaha James, and head coach Chris Koclanes look on from the sideline during a 2025 WNBA game.
The Dallas Wings will reportedly keep head coach Chris Koclanes on staff next season. (Sam Hodde/Getty Images)

Despite finishing at the bottom of the 2025 WNBA standings, the No. 12 Chicago Sky and No. 13 Dallas Wings will not be moving on from their current head coaches according to a report from Front Office Sports this week.

Dallas sideline leader Chris Koclanes and Chicago manager Tyler Marsh led their sides to identical 10-34 records in their first year at the helm — the worst in the league this season.

In contrast, 2025 playoff participants Seattle and New York are already making aggressive coaching changes, dismissing Storm boss Noelle Quinn and Liberty leader Sandy Brondello following first-round postseason exits.

While some fans criticized the presumed decision, Chicago Sky and Dallas Wings stars spoke out in support of their head coaches.

"Obviously the season didn't go how we expected, but being able to have a coach like Tyler, it was amazing through the ups and downs," Chicago center Kamilla Cardoso told reporters. "He always showed up every day with the same energy, no matter what the record was."

"The team embodies the attitude of your leader," echoed Dallas guard Paige Bueckers. "And for [Koclanes] to show up every single day at work and pour into all of us…it means a lot to us as a team."

Athletes Unlimited Stacks 2026 Offseason Roster with Top WNBA Stars

Connecticut Sun forward Aneesah Morrow controls the ball during a 2025 WNBA game.
Connecticut Sun rookie Aneesah Morrow will compete in the Athletes Unlimited Basketball competition during the WNBA offseason. (Chris Marion/NBAE via Getty Images)

With the 2025 WNBA Playoffs in full swing, many big-name players are shifting their focus to the winter, joining the 2026 roster for offseason leagues like 3×3 upstart Unrivaled and 5×5 Athletes Unlimited.

Connecticut Sun rookie Aneesah Morrow officially signed with AU Pro Basketball this week, joining WNBA veteran teammate Tina Charles, Las Vegas Aces standout and 2023 AU champion NaLyssa Smith, as well as fellow pro first-years in guards Kaitlyn Chen (Golden State Valkyries) and Te-Hina PaoPao (Atlanta Dream) on the AU court.

The 2026 Athletes Unlimited Basketball season also boasts several returning stars among its 40-player league roster, including Chicago Sky guard Kia Nurse, Washington Mystics forward Alysha Clark, Seattle Storm guard Lexie Brown, and New York Liberty forward Isabelle Harrison.

Tipping off its fifth season in February 2026, the month-long Nashville-based competition features rotating teams and individual leaderboards, offering an alternative to both overseas play and Unrivaled's 3×3 team format.

"It's player-driven," Charles said in her own AU Basketball signing announcement earlier this month. "I think that's really neat, you know, something that I've never been a part of, nor have I seen on men's or women's side."

How to watch the 2026 Athletes Unlimited Basketball season

The upcoming 2026 season of AU Pro Basketball runs from February 5th through March 2nd, with all 24 games airing live across several different broadcasters.

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