rising to fame
Douglas was a member of the U.S. team that won the gold medal in the team finals at the 2011 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Tokyo, Japan. She also won the 2012 Olympic Trials, which took place in San Jose, California, and was selected to the national team that will represent the United States at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, England.At the 2012 Summer Olympic Games, Douglas and other members of the U.S. Olympic women's gymnastics team took home a team gold medal.Douglas went on to compete in the individual all-around event, and became the first African American to win gold in the prestigious event. Following her two golds,she competed in the individual uneven bars and individual beam events, but failed to medal in either, placing eight and seventh, respectively.Douglas, since winning Gold at the Olympics last year, moved to Los Angeles with her family and seemingly embraced her new found celebrity status, appearing at various award shows, releasing a memoir God, Grace and Glory and landing multiple endorsement deals.Douglas had returned to the Iowa-based Chow's Gymnastic and Dance Institute in May to resume training and surprised her coach by abruptly announcing her departure.She has came a long way and as she says "Gymnastics will always be in my heart."