Montgomery County unveils new statue honoring Olympic athlete Dominique Dawes

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, Councilman Gabe Albornoz, Montgomery County Recreation Director Robin Riley and staff welcomed Olympic gymnast Dominique Dawes to celebrate the unveiling of a statue in her honor at the Silver Spring Recreation and Aquatic Center (SSRAC) on Tuesday.

“With the Olympics kicking off this week and Simone Biles set to compete in her third Olympic Games, the timing of the statue’s unveiling couldn’t be better,” Dawes said. “As the last American gymnast to compete in three Olympic Games and win a medal, I am humbled and honored to know that my journey of perseverance and determination has inspired so many. I come from humble beginnings and have never lost sight of what matters most, the ability to impact future generations. This statue is part of my legacy and I hope that every time a young boy or girl walks by, they too will realize that anything is possible if you choose to work hard and never give up on being the best you can be. Thank you to Brian Hanlon, the super talented sculptor, Councilman Gabe Albornoz for believing that this statue can inspire future generations and to God for giving me the talent and wisdom to always trust in Him.”

Ms. Dawes, a native of Montgomery County, was the first Black woman to join the U.S. Gymnastics team and the first Black gymnast to win an individual Olympic medal. A native of Silver Spring, she is a three-time Olympic medalist (Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000) and the owner and CEO of Dominique Dawes Gymnastics and Ninja Academies. Ms. Dawes opened the gyms to continue her commitment to developing a healthy and compassionate culture in the sport of gymnastics. She has inspired many young people in the region and across the U.S.

“Dominique Dawes not only made history in the world of gymnastics, but she also left an indelible mark on our community. It is fitting that we honor her with this statue at our new Silver Spring Recreation and Aquatic Center,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “Her accomplishments as an Olympic athlete are extraordinary, but what truly sets her apart is her unwavering commitment to giving back to our community. This statue is a testament to her dedication, integrity and the positive impact she continues to have on the youth of Montgomery County. We are grateful for Dominique’s dedication to Montgomery County as a mentor, businesswoman and entrepreneur.”

The sculpture was completed by artist Brian Hanlon, a classically trained master sculptor and founder of Hanlon Sculpture Studio in Toms River, NJ. With over 300 public and private works of art, he is a nationally recognized artist specializing in bronze sculpture and plazas.

“Olympic heroine Dominique Dawes is a world-renowned powerhouse in gymnastics, but her legacy doesn’t end there,” said Board President Andrew Friedson. “She remains committed to giving back and mentoring the youth of Montgomery County. This statue, in her hometown of Silver Spring, celebrates her determination, integrity and dedication to cultivating a healthy and compassionate culture in gymnastics. With this symbol of her achievements, Dominique Dawes will continue to inspire generations to come.”

Ms. Dawes is a mother of four young children. Her gyms provide a positive outlet for both children and adults to participate and thrive. Her first academy opened during a global pandemic in July 2020, her second location opened in 2023, and she will open her third academy in 2024 in Columbia.

“Dominique Dawes represents the best of our community, not only because of her historic accomplishments, but also because of her continued commitment to positive youth development and empowerment, autism awareness and other important issues,” said Councilman Gabe Albornoz. “It is fitting that the statue honoring her be placed in her hometown at the new Silver Spring Recreation and Aquatic Center, which is also home to the Montgomery County Sports Hall of Fame. It will serve as an inspiration for generations to come, symbolizing that success can be achieved through resilience and hard work.”

Ms. Dawes’ passion has always been to educate and empower families, women and young girls on issues related to physical and mental health. She has been a national ambassador for several non-profit organizations and corporations.

The recently opened 120,000-square-foot Silver Spring Recreation and Aquatic Center is located at 1319 Apple Avenue. It offers recreational and leisure activities including pools designed for general swimming, low-level diving, exercise, water play, training and instructional opportunities. The center also features a gymnasium, fitness center, movement and dance studios, multi-purpose activity rooms, staff offices, a teaching kitchen, café, a new home for the Montgomery County Sports Hall of Fame, public spaces and social areas. For more information about SSRAC, visit its website.

From Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich: “It was great to see her again for the unveiling. Our photos from the event show the high energy level at the Silver Spring Recreation and Aquatic Center. I want to thank all the media and people who came out to be a part of the story.

Dominique’s story begins like that of many other young gymnasts: She began tumbling at age 6 and didn’t win her first competition until she was 9. The Silver Spring native attended Montgomery Blair High School but then moved to Gaithersburg and finished high school there to be closer to her gymnastics program.

Before Dominique graduated from high school, she was a member of the U.S. gymnastics team that won bronze in Barcelona and won two silver medals at the 1993 World Championships. In 1996, she was a member of the team dubbed the “Magnificent Seven” at the Atlanta Olympics. Not only was she a member of the first U.S. team to win gold in gymnastics, she also became the first black woman of any nationality to win Olympic gold in gymnastics.

Dominque has grown into a business owner, entrepreneur and she is involved in our community. I was happy to hear that she is expanding her gyms to two additional locations in Montgomery County. She is also opening one in Howard County.

One of the things I talked to the sculptor and to her about was the intentionality of the sculpture. Dominique Dawes broke the color barrier in her sport. Kids need good heroes/heroines/role models and people who look like them and have accomplished great things because it can inspire kids to believe that they can do great things too. The sculpture is meant to be both great art and an inspiration.”