There is a reason cliches become cliché. Some things people just keep repeating. Such was the case at the Orlando County Thursday night as 600 plus parents and kids packed the atrium to the point of standing room only capacity. All were there to see Olympic Gold Medalist Gabrielle Douglas, as she made her sixth stop on the “Grace, Gold, & Glory” book tour.

The book is a memoir detailing the challenges faced, and sacrifices made by Douglas on her way to becoming the first African-American female to win all around Gold at the Olympics. Reggie Smothers arrived with nine-year old daughter, Zakaria, at two o’clock, four hours before the 6pm start time, to be sure of meeting the Olympian. They were the first in line. Opposite them in a line specifically for non-library members, a mother of two had driven two hours to make sure her daughter would meet their gymnastic idol. It is a testament to both the little-publicized popularity of young gymnasts and Douglas’s own popularity that both lines snaked backward until reaching the opposite end of the library.

Douglas’s mother, Natalie Hawkins, still has not gotten used to the response to her daughter. “Right after she won, people would get out of their cars in the middle of the street to run and take a picture with her. But even at the signing in Virginia (months after her win) we had 700 people show up. 600 at the next stop. And tonight this is the strongest response it seems yet. We feel blessed.”

One can only imagine what it must feel like to see young girls and adults alike crowed into a room, and chanting your name. At one point a chant of “Gabby,” “Gabby,” “Gabby,” reverberated through the library book stacks, followed by the crowd singing Happy Birthday, after the publisher of Grace, Gold, & Glory announced Douglas’s upcoming birthday on December 31.

Douglas took it in stride, commenting more than once in her Q&A session that she felt blessed and appreciated those that she has inspired. One rather poignant question was about how Dominique Dawes had inspired Douglas. “Dominique was my inspiration when I was growing up. And after I won I saw later on television Dominique crying.”

When speaking about being the first African-American female to win the all around Gold, Douglas clearly understands the significance, saying, “I’m glad I can be an inspiration for others because I know there are not a lot of black girls in gymnastics.”

The crowd yelled loudly when city officials mentioned the historic win as Orlando County Mayor Teresa Jacobs and city Commissioner Samuel Ings each presented Douglas with keys to the city. To the credit of the crowd, and the country at large, the response from the crowd was twice as loud simply for Douglas being Douglas. Not one color or ethnic group stood out. At one point the sheer number of people made things get a little chaotic, but the young girls (and some boys) took it all in stride because they loved Douglas for being a great gymnast, and an American gold medal winner. The fact that she happens to be black is more important to the historians than her fans.

The best question of the night came from Brittany who asked: “Were you scared the first time you got on the uneven bars, cause I’m scared.”

With the brilliant smile that has become as much her signature as her tumbling skills, Gabby responded, “Yes there first time I was on them I was scared. But, I knew I could do it. And so can you. You can do it, just go out there and have fun. Don’t let fear stop you.”

That is perhaps the best lesson anyone; young or old can learn from America’s new sweet heart.

Gabby Douglas book signing – free slideshow maker with music

The article Packed House Greets Gabby Douglas appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

President Obama has congratulated the latest American athletic heroes that have won a gold medal. He personally called to the “Fab Five,” the five members of the U.S. women’s gymnastics team, and tweeted and called swimmer Michael Phelps. He felicitated them while he was on Air Force One traveling from Washington to Ohio for campaign events.

The president did not just congratulate the gymnastics but also asked them how they manage to achieve what they do: “I told these young ladies as I was congratulating them, ‘how do you not bust your head every time you’re on that little balance beam?’” Obama said. “I couldn’t walk across that balance beam,” he joked.

According to White House Press Secretary Jay Carney, this is what Obama said to the gymnastics:

To Aly Reisman: “Michelle and I have watched and decided of all the Olympians, you guys amaze us the most.”

To Jordan Wieber: “I’m so impressed by how you bounced back and led the team. Tell your parents I’m proud of them too. I don’t think I could watch if I were them.”

To McKayla Maroney: “Way to nail that vault. It was unbelievable.”

To Kyla Ross: He remarked how she was “really steady.” “I was impressed by how cool you were. I don’t know how you do what you do especially the balance beam.”

To Gabby Douglas: “You just tore it up. I know how hard you worked to get there.” And: “Keep at it. Stay cool.”

Obama has also congratulated the American swimmer Michael Phelps for winning a new gold and becoming the most decorated Olympic athlete of all history. He first tweeted on his personal account the following: “Congrats to Michael Phelps for breaking the all-time Olympic medal record. You’ve made your country proud.”

Later he called Phelps by phone. According to the White House the president told Phelps he was “the greatest Olympian ever” and that the country “couldn’t be prouder.”

Once in Ohio, where he is attending some campaign events, he said the following: “The wonderful thing about the Olympics is it reminds us that for all our differences, when it comes down to our country, we’re Americans first. And we could not be prouder of them and everything they’re doing on our behalf.”

Image Courtsey of AN HONORABLE GERMAN

The article Obama Congrats Phelps and Women’s Gymnastics Gold Medal Winners appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

The U.S. has won another gold medal thanks to the performance of the so called “Fab Five” in the women’s gymnastics team finals, especially due to the high score obtained by Gabby Douglas and World Champion Jordyn Wieber.

The gold has come after beating Russia by more than 5 points (183.596-178.530). The bronze went for Romania (176.414 points.) Former gold winner, China, was a disappointment as they ended up in fourth position.

The American team was made up of Gabby Douglas, McKayla Maroney, Aly Raisman, Kyla Ross and Jordyn Wieber.

Gabby Douglas, the “Flying Squirrel,” scored a 15.966 on the vault, a 15.200 on the uneven bars, a 15.233 on the balance beam and a 15.066 on the floor exercise. She was the only one that did all four events and performed brilliantly in all of them.

The highest score was achieved by McKayla Maroney, who got 16,233 points on the vault.

It is the first time that the US has won the gold for the women’s gymnastics team since the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Back then the Magnificent Seven made history, and now the day has come for the Fab Five to write their names in gold letters in the U.S. sports history book.

From the outset it became clear that the Americans were superior to the other countries and that the battle was really only for second place. The difference was so great that the last competition, the floor exercise, was almost a formality.

Bela Karolyi, who was the coach of the 1996 squad, made a declaration to The Detroit Free Press, comparing this year’s team to the Atlanta one: “I think this is a more even team with their performances.” “The 1996 team had ups and downs,” he added.

Image Courtesy of   US Olympic Team

The article London Olympics: US ‘Fab Five’ Win Gold in Gymnastics appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.