The Silver Spring Recreation and Aquatic Center is located at 1319 Apple Ave. in Silver Spring. The sculpture artist, Brian Hanlon, attended the dedication.
Ms. Dawes won medals as a member of three U.S. gymnastics teams in Barcelona (1992), Atlanta (1996) and Sydney (2000). The 1996 team won the gold medal. She is one of three female American gymnasts to compete in three Olympics.
"With the Olympic Games kicking off this week, and Simone Biles set to compete in her third Olympics Games, the timing of the statue unveiling couldn't be better,” said Ms. Dawes. “As the last American gymnast to compete and medal in three Olympic Games, I am humbled and honored to know that my journey of grit and perseverance has inspired many. I came from humble beginnings, and I have never lost sight of what matters most and that is the ability to impact future generations. This statue is part of my legacy and I hope each time a young boy or girl walks by, they too realize that anything is possible when you choose to work hard and never give up striving to be the best that you can be. Thank you to Brian Hanlon, the super talented sculptor, Councilmember Gabe Albornoz for believing that this statue can inspire future generations and to God for giving me that talent and wisdom to always trust in Him."
Ms. Dawes has been a national ambassador for a number of nonprofits and corporations, and she was the first national spokesperson for the Girls Scouts of the USA of “Uniquely Me! The Girl Scout/Dove Self Esteem Program.” She continues to work with the Boys and Girls Club of America and has served as the co-chair (with former NFL quarterback Drew Brees) of the President’s Council for Fitness, Sports and Nutrition under the Obama administration.
Alongside LeBron James and Maverick Carter, she served as an executive producer of the Peacock docu-series “Golden,” which focused on USA’s elite gymnasts on the road to the Tokyo Olympics.
The University of Maryland graduate was elected to the Maryland State Athletic Hall of Fame and to the Montgomery County Sports Hall of Fame. She attended Gaithersburg High School.
“Dominique Dawes has not only made history in the world of gymnastics, 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 Elrich. “Her achievements as an Olympic athlete are extraordinary, but what truly sets her apart is her unwavering commitment to giving back to our community. This statue stands as a testament to her dedication, integrity and the positive impact she continues to have on young people in Montgomery County. We are grateful to Dominique for her commitment to Montgomery County as a mentor, businesswoman and entrepreneur."
Mr. Hanlon is a classically trained master sculptor and founder of Hanlon Sculpture Studio in Toms River, N.J. With more than 300 public and private art pieces, he is a nationally recognized artist specializing in bronze statues and plazas.
“Dominique Dawes represents the best of our community, not just because of her historic accomplishments, but also because of her ongoing commitment to positive youth development and empowerment, autism awareness and other important issues,” said Councilmember Albornoz. “It is fitting that the statue in her honor be 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.”