Projo Biz Blog

Providence Journal photo / Kris Craig

By Barbara Polichetti
Journal staff writer

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- It took Dominique Dawes a long time to feel comfortable in front of a crowd if she was clad in anything other than a leotard.

Not the norm. But perfectly understandable for an Olympic gymnast who first encountered bright lights, crowds and cameras when she was flipping and tumbling through her routines.

Now -- 13 years after she was part of the "Magnificent Seven" women's gymnastic team that won gold at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta --- Dawes is focusing on being a motivational speaker and says that she is finding her voice.

"This is something I'd like to do long term," Dawes said Wednesday evening sitting in a cozy nook in the lobby of the Providence Westin Hotel. "I like the thought of being able to inspire and empower people. And I've found the things I learned throughout my career as an athlete can really help people."

Dawes was in Rhode Island to give the closing address at Thursday's annual Women's Summit at Bryant University in Smithfield.

I think there's so much that people can relate to, such as the fear factor that I had to overcome time and time again," she said. She also said that people really like to here some of the "inside story" of what it takes to be a world-class athlete -- such as 5 a.m. training sessions before school.

 Tags  Bryant University Dominique Dawes Smithfield RI Women's Summit magnificent 7 gymnasts team

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