Gabrielle Douglas: USA gymnastic hope

http://www.businessweek.com/news/20...ds-u-dot-s-dot-gymnasts-from-medals-to-riches



Gabrielle Douglas had won the U.S. gymnastics trials 12 hours earlier and was getting her first taste of the riches and responsibilities that come with one of the most public of Olympic berths.

Along with the flowers and special leotards reserved for the five members of the American women’s team, the 16-year-old Douglas was assured of a six-figure salary after the London Games and had already signed a sponsorship deal with Procter & Gamble Co. (PG) (PG)

Douglas is the latest in a line of tumbling teenagers who turn into America’s sweethearts every four years. She and her teammates will be a focus of prime-time Olympic coverage on Comcast Corp. (CMCSA) (CMCSA)’s NBC, which paid $1.18 billion for the U.S. television rights to the games. The gymnasts will share the stage with older millionaires such as swimming’s Michael Phelps and basketball’s LeBron James, both 27.

“There’s a smile, there’s a look, every girl wants to be Mary Lou Retton and every parent wants to have a kid like that,” said Peter Shankman, founder of the Geek Factory marketing firm in New York. “On a marketing level, it’s a sense of innocence that we’ve seemed to lose in professional sports.”

On a July morning in San Jose, California, Douglas cradled her new iPhone while explaining that her Twitter followers had doubled overnight -- to more than 17,000 from about 8,000. Though she had gotten one hour of sleep, her smile never faded.

Her mother, Natalie Hawkins from Virginia Beach, Virginia, also was all smiles -- and said she felt a huge sense of relief and satisfaction after spending more than $150,000 on Gabby’s training and travel.

 

Ima bump this

 

I'm glad you did. I was watching her on YouTube last nite. She's amazing.

 

I'm really proud of Gabby and the women's team, only the second US team to win gold.

 

And she just won the all-around! LEGEND!!!!

 

Spoiler. Well you just freed up the evening of some people and killed NBC's ratings.

I'm happy for her. She truly lives up to her nickname flying squirrel.......anyone who has seen her on the uneven bars will know what I mean.

Was going to post this video.....I had sent it to a friend who lives in WDM Iowa........since that is where Gabby trained.

[YOUTUBE]HbhzLI-vNjE[/YOUTUBE]

 

Im definitely planning to watch her tonight. She kicks ass foreal.

 

That taped delay nonsense at NBC has kind of ruined this Olympic moment. But Congrats to the little sister anyway. I will still watch tonight regardless.

 

I'm so proud of Gabby and Team USA. Congrats to all that made it to London.

I'm curious, when is Track & Field aired? I don't want to miss it.

 

All schedules are here.

http://www.nbcolympics.com/results-schedules/day=2012-08-02/list.html

 

Congrats to her.

Saw it live at nbcolympics website.

She can absolutely fly through the ai, hence her nickname "Flying Squirrel"

Was a treat watching her make history. Cool story indeed.

 

I cried when I watched it. She's amazing!!

 

My interest in Olympic swimming events is not that high but i know that not too many black people participate in it so i applaud her. But did she have to receive flak for her hair which mostly came from sistas? The word crab comes to mind.

 

LOL, was gymnastics Appiah.

As far as the talking mouths who are as you say crabs, she has achieved something historic and has a bright future ahead and where are they.

 

Lol my bad , this should tell you how uninterested i am in the non athletic events.

 

Non-athletic? Seriously???

 

So much of the challenge when competing on such a big stage is staying in control of your nerves......that is where she is to be credited most for her very young age....

 

Agreed. She is an exceptional young lady.

 

Brother Appiah,
With all due respect, your log shows your factual confusion with what the rest of us saw.....never the less, this is no time to find fault or separate along racial lines.....Americans are proud of their new young gymnist champion....