Olympic Gold Medalist Opens Youth Gymnastics Gym in Houston

A gymnastics legend is giving Houston kids a new place to flip, tumble, and build confidence.

Dominique Dawes, a three-time Olympian and member of the gold medal-winning "Magnificent Seven" team from the 1996 Atlanta Games, will open her first Texas gym on May 30 in Jersey Village. A second location follows in August in Spring.

"We are so excited to open our doors here and create a space where kids feel encouraged, supported, and inspired to grow," Dawes said in a statement. The academy will offer tumbling, competitive gymnastics, and obstacle courses inspired by "American Ninja Warrior."

Dawes made history as the first Black woman to win an individual Olympic medal in gymnastics when she took home bronze in floor exercise in Atlanta. Now she's building a different kind of legacy, one cartwheel at a time.

The Maryland native opened her first academy in July 2020, right in the middle of the pandemic. Just five years later, she's operating seven locations across Maryland, Georgia, Virginia, and now Texas. Her goal? Fifty academies within the next five years.

Why This Inspires

Dawes knows firsthand what it takes to reach the top of gymnastics. She also understands the sport's darker history of harsh training methods and toxic coaching culture.

Her academies focus on encouragement over perfection, offering programs for kids from 18 months through high school. It's gymnastics reimagined for a generation that deserves both excellence and kindness.

Families who register early for the Jersey Village location get access to private pre-opening classes, a reduced registration fee, and a pass to the grand opening celebration with Dawes on May 29. Houston parents are already jumping at the chance to give their kids an Olympic-level experience with a hometown feel.

The expansion shows how one athlete's vision can create opportunities for thousands of children to discover their strength, inside the gym and out.