Salon.com > Gold medal http://www.salon.com Wed, 22 May 2013 12:35:36 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Gymnastics gets joyful http://www.salon.com/2012/08/03/gymnastics_gets_joyful/ http://www.salon.com/2012/08/03/gymnastics_gets_joyful/#comments Fri, 03 Aug 2012 13:21:00 +0000 http://www.origin.railrode.net/?p=12971475 Since women’s gymnastics started at the Olympics on Sunday night, there has been lots and lots and lots of crying. Of the major gymnasts competing, which, if one is to rely on NBC’s broadcasting judgments, comes down exclusively to Americans and Russians, we have seen almost every single one shed tears. Jordyn Wieber and the entire Russian team from sadness and disappointment, Aly Raisman and Kyla Ross from relief and happiness, and there even seemed to be a fleck in McKayla Maroney’s eye for a few seconds after the team all-around victory. The only gymnast we haven’t seen cry is Gabby Douglas, who has been too focused, composed and fundamentally unhistrionic to go in much for sobbing, and has been blessed with the sort of charismatic, overpowering smile it would be a waste not to use.

When Gabby finished up on her floor routine last night, all but ensuring she would win the individual all-around, she broke into that mega-grin of hers. It was a joyful moment, one made even more joyful against the backdrop of all those other tears. Finally, someone making happiness look happy.

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]]> http://www.salon.com/2012/08/03/gymnastics_gets_joyful/feed/ 1 Gabby Douglas wins gold in all-around http://www.salon.com/2012/08/02/gabby_douglas_wins_gold_in_all_around/ http://www.salon.com/2012/08/02/gabby_douglas_wins_gold_in_all_around/#comments Thu, 02 Aug 2012 20:52:00 +0000 http://www.origin.railrode.net/?p=12970883 In the 2011 Visa Championships, Gabrielle Douglas fell off the balance beam as she tried to conclude a nearly flawless routine with two back handsprings. The fall stunned her. Though she managed to land on her feet, the slip hurt her in the overall standings. She finished seventh, jeopardizing her chance to participate in the 2011 World Championships in Tokyo.

The experience galvanized Douglas. "I learned about being a competitor," she said. "No one is going to feel sorry for you. No one is going to be like, 'Ooh, you fell.'” Today, Douglas, also known as the “Flying Squirrel,” went on to become the first African-American woman to win the all-around gold medal at the Olympics. To celebrate the victory, Salon offers  a few videos of the new champion.

Douglas talking about her training regimen and what she eats, -- ice cream and a brownie after competing.

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