Congratulations Gabby!

[Evasporque]

You are aces in my book! Way to go!



(I think this is big enough news..to appreciate our under-appreciated Olympian.)

[rocktivity]

1. Gabby Gabby Hey!

Last edited Fri Feb 27, 2015, 05:32 PM - Edit history (1)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/120417412


rocktivity

[Patiod]

6. Thanks! Nice story!

I haven't been following the Olympics all that closely, and didn't realize her dad was in the military, and frequently overseas.

[SunsetDreams]

8. Beautiful Story!

Thanks for sharing that video

Way to go Gabby!!!

[heaven05]

9. my god!

she's human! just like everyone else on this planet. Gabby, YOU ARE AN INSPIRATION! Many congrats bravo!

[MrMickeysMom]

11. Watching her yesterday just choked me up afterwards!

What an inspiration.

Come home daddy...

[Cali_Democrat]

32. Great story

Thanks for posting.

[jimlup]

2. Absolutely!

I think that the darling of gymnastics isn't suppose to be black. She's absolutely awesome and has worked incredibly hard for everything. She will open possibilities and inspiration for millions of young black girls.

Congratulations and Go Gabby!

[Patiod]

4. I actually enjoyed that part of the coverage

Not really focusing on her race too more than they mentioned Kyla Ross' Hispanic-Asian-Black-White heritage.

After watching Dominique Dawes in gymnastics and Surya Bonaly in figure skating, I hope the idea that a gymnast or figure skater is "supposed" to be white is shattered.

I'm thinking that if both sports weren't so financially punishing to families, there would be a WHOLE lot more black athletes taking part.

[xmas74]

14. Same with swimming.

Cullen Jones is on the men's team but really there isn't all that much representation. I think the reason is the cost on the higher levels of swimming is what keeps so many out.

More scholarships=more representation from all backgrounds in individual sports.

[Patiod]

19. I heard a black Navy Seal talk about that on NPR

On the show "Tell Me More". He was asked why there weren't more black Navy Seals, and he said 1) lack of role models but more importantly 2) young black people of SEAL age simply aren't as comfortable in the water as their white counterparts. And you can't just be an okay swimmer - you need to be an extremely strong swimmer to succeed in Seals.

My SO (who is white, and who can't swim) grew up in the city, where pools are few and far between, and when they are available, don't feature suburban quality competitive quality swimming programs.

So I actually think it starts earlier, when kids are young, and learning to love the water. You're not going to see more black Olympians in men's and women's swimming until you see a lot more city kids with access to youth swimming programs.

I wish that every kid had access to pools all year round.

[xmas74]

22. The scholarship programs are needed,

especially in the inner cities and in rural areas. I'd bet dollars to donuts that the talent is out there, if only it could be cultivated.

Most swimmers are sponsored by clubs. These clubs are not usually located in the inner cities-they are usually in the suburbs. Inner city kids get little chance to participate and the rural kids don't get all that much more, since most rural areas can no longer afford to sponsor teams.

My kid was on a swim team for a few years. Surprisingly, the biggest increase in competitive swimming, according to the magazines and such, is actually from Asian-Americans. The second? Hispanic families. The reason for the Asian-American families is because it's a very individualized sport, which tends to be more of a push for families with only one or two children. And the reason for Hispanic families is just as interesting. Many (not all, but quite a few) still have large families and swimming is a sport the entire family can participate in at the same time. It's not uncommon to see a four year old, a seven year old, an eleven year old , a thirteen year old, and a sixteen year old from the same family competing at the same meet. (Something I noticed from all races was lots of big families at meets.) It all makes sense-practice is often at the same time, meets are on the same days, families don't have to run one child to soccer while running another across town to football, parents don't have to pick which child to watch at one game, etc. It really makes good sense.

I can only think of a couple dozen African-American youth I've noticed at swim meets, even though the meets have in the hundreds participating. I'd love to see more-I really think highly of the sport and think more role models speaks well for the future.

[Patiod]

34. Ha! Our high school team always did exceptionally well for one of the reasons you mentioned

Lots of large Irish Catholic families, bringing the whole clan to the pool. The kids started swimming at the little local swim club (which offered "family memberships" that didn't charge per kid), than swam AAU, and then at the public high school. When one girl graduated, there was another one right behind her to fill her sisters' shoes and beat her records (don't know why, but our boys' teams were always mediocre - our girls were one of the best public HS teams in the US).

I've been an avid swimmer all my life, and I too, would like to see more kids of all sorts get access to pools and to swimming scholarships.

[xmas74]

35. It's a great sport for families, especially larger families,

which is why there are a number of Hispanic families getting involved in the sport on a national level. Those who are still "newer" in the US (within a generation or two) or those who are devout still tend to have large families. (The more generations in the country or the less devout, the families tend to become smaller over time.) It's easier to tout the whole family to the pool at the same time instead of running each member to their own practices. And local competitive level swimming starts at an early age-age four, in my area. This means that, for summer session, it's not that uncommon to see a recent high school grad ready to compete for his/her new college in the winter on the same team as his/her baby brother/sister who is starting kindergarten that fall. And if suits are well maintained, they can last more than one summer and be passed down.

Swimming was possibly one of the best things that ever happened to my kid. If her coach hadn't been quite so nasty about everything she'd probably still be there for both summer and winter. As it is, she still swims on her own and plans on trying out for the high school team.

Did you know that, on the college level, there are more scholarships available for swimming than there are students who qualify? It's because, compared to most other sports, in order to qualify you have to have the right time. In football, if they can't find someone spectacular to fill the spot they'll use someone who is ok. We both know that doesn't happen with swimming. It's not surprising to see a team completely skip an event instead of just filling it.

I wish more people knew that about swimming. I wish there was more access to lessons, to leagues. It's truly a lifetime sport, yet large segments of our population don't even have basic lifesaving skills.

[Patiod]

36. I used to teach WSI

Not only had a WSI certificate, but taught instructors. I was quite the little Red Cross fanatic in my day.

I didn't know that about swimming scholarships - that's pretty interesting.

And as for safety - that's another issue I have with black folks and swimming. I had black friends in college who used to say that the university's requirement that you had to be able to swim in order to graduate was racist. I used to argue with them: "how is wanting black people to be able to SURVIVE racist?" Unfortunately, one of those exact same girls drowned out in a quarry one night at a party one night after work; they suspect the one girl fell in, and the other went in to "rescue" her, but neither girl could swim, and both drowned.

Just because you don't want to mess up your hair doesn't mean you shouldn't know how to save yourself. But I do understand that if it takes you hours to get your hair right, you're not going to want to go through it again for one stupid 45-minute class where you're feeling kind of stupid learning to do something 5 year olds can do (I think that's why my own SO won't learn - it makes him feel like a dope).

I understand that, but it still makes me really angry when I see reports of drownings in creeks and at the shore after lifeguard hours, and you read into the article, and it's so often older black kids that never learned how to swim. Even if you'll never compete, EVERYONE NEEDS TO KNOW HOW TO STAY AFLOAT and better yet, swim towards shore. Such an often-avoidable waste of young lives. I applaud my alma mater for continuing to insist that you have to be able swim to graduate.

[xmas74]

37. You taught WSI?

That's great!

My daughter wants to start lifeguard training soon. She's twelve right now and cannot work as one until sixteen but the lessons can start at this age. She's planning on making it her summer job when she's old enough. (And part time in the winter-the pool closes at seven in the winter so perfect hours IMO-she'll never have to work all that late!)

I knew one woman who had her children in swimming. She said that she had never learned but swore they would and would learn enough to be strong, which is why she put them on the swim team. She said that her daughter has all of her adult years to worry about her hair-right now they'll just tightly braid it and throw on a cap. She also said there was no reason why more AA moms like herself shouldn't have a similar attitude. (Not being able to afford the lessons or no access is a whole different deal.) She said she wanted her children to be able to attend swim parties some day, go on float trips, etc. She never wanted them to be left out.

The scholarship info was a big eye opener. Turns out a number of clubs are now using that as a big sell and they rightly should. Also, they use as an additional sell that since most swim meets have multiple teams (especially regional/championship) their children are more likely to be seen at least once by a recruiter, compared to many other sports. And they're right-I've noticed scouts for major universities at decent sized swim meets, keeping their eyes not only on the high school kids but on the junior high/middle school level kids that might have promise. They'll track their progress over the years but the attention is much more quiet.

A friend (I mentioned her in another thread in ref to the gymnastics) is now divorced from an AA man. When they had their two daughters the first thing she said she wanted to do was to teach them how to swim. He argued, saying that they didn't need it-he never learned. She fought him until his mother jumped in and said that her granddaughters would learn how to swim-she didn't want to hear about them on the news drowning like other AA kids. She said there was no reason why they couldn't learn and that she wished she'd had the opportunity to learn and the resources for her kids to learn. He knew he lost the argument. The grandmother and my friend took the girls to Water Babies every week together. She (grandma) eventually took lessons and can now tread water.

I think it's a skill that everyone needs to know.

[Patiod]

38. Great job idea

Having those skills will give your daughter access to a lot of fun jobs that are great for young people. Every camp (day or away) and every summer program that offers pool time needs trained and certified swimming teachers and guards.

I never actually lifeguarded myself, but taught swimming and did guard certification. The summers I spent in the pool teaching kids to swim were some of the happiest times of my life. And you go home knowing that you did some good in the world - you taught a really necessary survival skill.

I'll never forget the gym teacher/swimming coach at the high school where I used to swim 3 mornings a week (they opened their doors to the public before school - one of the only local schools who did, because most schools around here have a.m. team practices). He was sort of the "sponsor" of community swimming. The man was 62 years old, fit as a fiddle, and wore flip-flops to work with his shorts and high-school-logo golf shirt in the middle of winter. How cool a job is that?

My mom watched her sister drown (they revived her after several horrifying minutes), and was too frightened to learn to swim after that. I give her credit for making sure my brother and I learned early before we developed any fears - much like your two friends did with their kids.

If everyone just learned enough to tread water without freaking out, that would probably save a lot of lives right there....

[xmas74]

39. The job idea was hers.

I've informed her that I never want her working in fast food or places like Walmart while in school-the hours are long and some managers don't seem too concerned whether a child has school in the a.m. I remember working at a Hardees my senior year of high school and actually having my boss call me at school more than once, telling the school secretary that it was urgent that I call back. I'd get the message, use the pay phone in Commons and find out that he wanted me to skip out at lunch and come in to work no later than noon, closing up the lobby at 11 pm. I don't want that for her. And she said no babysitting.

I thought it would be a skill she could use for work at the local pools or even summer camp. It's always a good skill and around here if you're a strong swimmer you can also use it for private lessons.

Your old coach had to have the coolest job ever. Super casual, probably didn't put up with crap and I'm sure was a local legend of sorts.

Everyone needs those skills in the water. If you can learn how to tread water, float on your stomach and float on your back you're set. Those skills will save your life. Everything else is for fun.

[Raster]

3. She is AWESOME!

And that smile could power a small city. Wonderful young lady, great story. Congratulations!

[Kablooie]

5. She has the most amazing, beautiful face. Like a little pixie.

[NMlib]

7. Two thumbs up

Right after she knew she won! For her dad i bet!

[ellisonz]

10. Cheers for Gabby

And congrats to the whole Douglas Family!

[BumRushDaShow]

12. K&R

for an excellent job!!!

[xmas74]

13. Bela Karoly is on right now,

talking about this. He says that Gabby is now the biggest role model for US gymnastics for her entire generation. He said the last American even close to touching this was Mary Lou Retton.

He's really praising her, saying that her performance is better than any (from any country) for a couple of decades and that she will be the person talked about by future Olympians.

[hifiguy]

15. If anyone would know, it's Bela Karolyi.

He's been at the top of the gymnastics world for going on 40 years. He was Nadia Comeneci's coach for pete's sake. She will be the next Mary Lou and good on her!

[xmas74]

18. He's the man in the know

and he said he absolutely adores her. He referred to her as the whole package-great athlete, wholesome look that parents love their kids to emulate, and a friendly personality. He said she's the future. A couple of days ago he said something about how the future should be more athletes like her, warm and wanting to be a team player, and less like the "old school" athletes. (They were referring to the prima donnas of the sports with huge jabs towards the Russian squad.)

He also said her appeal will be far outside of the US and that she'll be a popular figure in worldwide gymnastics. The other day he said something about how the gymnastics world had been waiting for someone like her.

[KeepItReal]

26. Wow, thats high praise!

[rocktivity]

16. To the victor belong the spoils

[center]





Gabby Douglas inspires Twitter land, Oprah, Lil' Wayne

HuffPo/Teen Vogue: 5 Fun Facts About The Flying Squirrel

Official Web Site[/center]


rocktivity

[Starry Messenger]

17. k&r

She's a superstar!

[NNN0LHI]

20. rec

[Odin2005]

21. Her ear-to-ear grin puts a huge smile on my face!

She seems much more mature than 15.

[Zax2me]

23. U.S. Gold Medalist Gabby Douglas: ‘I Give All The Glory to God’

You go, girl! You make us all so proud -


“Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me.”
http://cnsnews.com/news/article/us-gold-medalist-gabby-douglas-i-give-all-glory-god

[ananda]

24. Yes, thank you for beating those Russians!

I remember the days when they won everything,
so this victory felt good, so good!

[JI7]

30. that was during the Soviet days wasn't it ?

[fishwax]

25. she was awesome

[TheDebbieDee]

27. Great job, Gabby! And I LOVE your hair, too!

[Zax2me]

28. Her hair is beautiful!

As is she...

[JI7]

29. Paul Hamm said Gabby was going to win

he was on CNN the day before or morning before the games started and he said Gabby was going to win.

[sendero]

33. What a performance.....

wonderful!