Olympic Gold Medalist Opens Gymnastics Academy in Alpharetta

Thirty years after becoming a household name at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, Dominique Dawes is back in Georgia with something precious: her gold medal and a vision for how gymnastics should feel.

Her new Dominique Dawes Academy opened Friday in Alpharetta, a 20,000 square foot space where toddlers to teens can tumble, flip, and grow. Families can snap photos with her actual 1996 Olympic gold medal at Saturday's free open house from 9am to 3pm before classes officially begin Monday.

This is Dawes' eighth academy, but it represents something deeper than expansion. After the 2016 Larry Nassar scandal exposed systemic abuse in USA Gymnastics, Dawes knew she had to do things differently.

"I want to rebrand the sport and do things the right way," she told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Her academies prioritize fun, health, and safety over pressure and perfectionism—a radical shift from the toxic culture she once navigated.

Building a business empire while raising four kids taught Dawes to work smarter. She opened her first Maryland academy in 2010, learning everything from HVAC systems to HR during the pandemic when she couldn't hire a daily coach.

"I had to surround myself with people smarter than me," she admitted. She brought in consultants, coaches, and business guides from retail and other industries to help her scale.

Why This Inspires

Dawes isn't just teaching backflips—she's teaching a new generation that strength comes from balance, coordination, and joy, not just medals. Her philosophy: kids should love coming to the gym, not fear it.

The academy welcomes ages 9 months to 13 years with no long-term contracts, just month-to-month memberships. "We want you to see if your kids thrive in this environment first," Dawes explained.

She partnered with private equity in 2024 to fuel expansion, moving from hands-on owner to board member and ambassador. She's also deepened Atlanta ties through the Falcons, Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, and Children's Healthcare research initiatives.

If Alpharetta thrives, more metro Atlanta locations could follow. For now, Dawes is focused on what she does best: creating spaces where young athletes can discover their power without losing their childhood.

"It's about winning together and putting impact in the community, not just championship," she said. Three decades after her Olympic triumph, that's the legacy she's building—one cartwheel at a time.