Major olympic victory! (spoiler alert edited at mod request)

Douglas said she didn't think about being the first African-American to win this title, but others certainly did. Veteran Olympic gold medalist Dominique Dawes was watching Douglas compete from the press tribune, trying to keep her hands from shaking.

"I am such a nervous ninny," the 35-year-old Dawes said. "I feel like Gabby is my child or something. I am so anxious for her to win."

In 1996 in Atlanta, Dawes, a member of the Magnificent Seven, was hoping to become the first African-American to win an individual all-around medal, but fell on the floor exercise and finished well out of the top three. Sixteen years later, the history that Dawes hoped to achieve was made by Douglas. "I know it will have an enormous impact on encouraging African-Americans and other minorities to go into the sport of gymnastics," said Dawes, who is working as an analyst for foxsports.com here. Dawes said she has received e-mails and messages on Twitter throughout these Games from women her age telling her that she was their role model. "And now," she said, "they are telling me that Gabby is the role model for their daughters."

As Douglas talked to reporters, she never broke down, never shed a tear. The way she celebrated was the way she competed, with a calmness and confidence that she has been exuding throughout this spectacular year.Dawes, on the other hand, couldn't begin to control her emotions. The tears rolling down her cheeks were a long time coming.