First African American female gymnast to win individual Olympic medal to offer encouragement about overcoming odds of race and gender in pursuit of one’s dream.
WASHINGTON, DC – On Friday, February 15, Olympic Gold Medalist Dominique Dawes will lend her support to “Be The Water”—the 22nd Annual Black History Invitational Swim Meet (BHISM) by delivering words of encouragement to the DC Wave swim team at its last practice before the premier event. Dawes, the first African American female to win an individual Olympic medal in the sport of gymnastics, will talk to youth from DC Wave about how to overcome odds of race and gender while pursuing the dream of being a professional athlete.
“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to meet some of the athletes competing in the 22nd Annual Black Invitational Swim Meet and to offer them a few words of encouragement,” said Dawes. “Swimming is not a sport that has traditionally had many minority standouts, but as the first African-American female gymnast to win an individual Olympic medal, I am living proof that these odds can be overcome.”
Also on hand to provide encouragement to the youth will be Bradford Tatum, an 86-year-old native Washingtonian, Senior Olympic gold, silver and bronze medal swimmer and this year’s “Be The Water” honoree.
When:
Friday, February 15, 2008, 5:45 am – 8:30 am
Note: Media will have access to the DC Wave Team’s last swim practice before the BHISM starting at 5:45 am. Ms. Dawes is expected to deliver her inspirational message to youth at approximately 6:15 am. While practice ends at 6:30 am, Ms. Dawes and Mr. Tatum will be available for interviews until 8:30 am.
Where:
Takoma Aquatic Center, 300 Van Buren Street NW, Washington, DC
Visuals and Interview Opportunities:
Dominique Dawes, Olympic gold medalist and first African-American female gymnast to win individual Olympic medal.
- Bradford Tatum, Senior Olympic gold medalist, native Washingtonian and honoree of “Be The Water,” the 22nd Annual Black History Invitational Swim Meet.
- Members of DC Wave Swim Team
About Dominique Dawes:
Dominique Dawes is a three-time Olympian who won a gold medal with the United States Gymnastics Team at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, an individual bronze in the Floor Exercise in 1996 and a team bronze at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Dawes now works as a motivational speaker, part-time coach, broadcaster and spokeswoman for issues relating to women’s and children’s health and fitness.
About Bradford Tatum:
Bradford Tatum is an 86-year-old native Washingtonian and award-winning member of the Water Wizards, DC’s seniors’ swim team. At the 2007 national Summer Senior Olympics, Tatum earned gold medals in the 100- and 200-yard freestyle as well as silver medals in the 50- and 100-yard breast stroke and a bronze in the 50-yard freestyle. Mr. Tatum is the honoree of “Be The Water”, the 22nd Annual Black History Invitational Swim Meet.
About the Annual Black History Invitational Swim Meet:
Hailed by USA Swimming as the “premier minority swim competition in the United States and in the World,” the two-day annual event attracts over 700 minority competitors, ages 5 – 18, from swim teams in Los Angeles, Atlanta, Detroit, Cleveland, New York and other metropolitan areas in the United States. The free event is separated into three (3) sessions: Session I kicks off at 6 am for ages 13-18; Session II at 10:30 am for ages 8 years old and under; and Session III at 2:30 pm for ages 9 -12 years old. This year’s event will take place on Saturday, February 16 and Sunday, February 17 from 7 am to 6 pm both days at the Takoma Aquatic Center, 300 Van Buren Street in Northwest Washington, DC.
Media Contacts:
MosesAlexander Greene (DPR), (202) 673-7684
Greg Ball (Ms. Dawes’ Publicist), (818) 462-5611