Gabby Douglas is a Gold Winning Olympic Gymnast
When Gabby Douglas won Olympic gold in the all-around competition last week in London, she became one of four American women to accomplish the feat. She also became the only American female gymnast to win gold in all-around and team competition. At just 16 years old, the Virginia native had made Olympic history.
Therefore, it's understandable that she felt a bit confused when she went online and found out people were debating her...hair?!
"I don't know where this is coming from. What’s wrong with my hair?" Douglas told the AP.
This is of course, a perfectly legitimate question because Douglas's hair- a pulled back ponytail with enough gel and clips to keep it in place- looks just like every other gymnast's on the competition floor. This isn't a hair modeling show, this is one of the most grueling athletic competitions men or women can take part in on an international stage.
Take a look at the video of Douglas vaulting at the U.S. Olympic trials.
Can you think of anyone you know you can actually do that?
There's been an attempt by some to attempt to explain the catty comments on Douglas's hair as part of a larger need to examine our culture's fixation on achieving a cookie-cutter, acceptable look. Those attempts are beside the point. Gabby Douglas's athletic achievements are based on her dedication, her family's willingness to support her and a myriad of other factors. The role her hair played? Perhaps staying in place while she flew through the air.
Fo all of those who still feel the urge to offer unsolicited hair advice, Douglas offers some advice of her own.
“I don’t think people should be worried about that,” she said. “We’re all champions and we’re all winners. I just say that it’s kind of, a stupid and crazy thought to think about my hair.”
Oh, and she's not changing her hairstyle. So, let's talk more about those records.
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