Sports In America with David Greene
WHYY | PRX Sports in America explores stories that shape athletes and fans alike. Each week, David Greene hosts in-depth conversations with people across the world of sports – from the star who hits the game winner to the millions of us whose lives are touched by the game.
Sports in America explores stories that shape athletes and fans alike. Each week, David Greene hosts in-depth conversations with people across the world of sports – from the star who hits the game winner to the millions of us whose lives are touched by the game.
Reliving the ‘96 Atlanta Olympics with Dominique Dawes
Some of the best athletes in the world are in the United States right now, competing in World Cup games all over the country. For American athletes, the pressure to perform on their home turf can be intense. But that’s nothing new.
Dominique Dawes has been there before. She was a part of the U.S. women’s gymnastics team in 1996, when the Olympic Games came to Atlanta. She competed on a squad that became known as the Magnificent 7, who the world believed had a shot to win the first team gold medal in women’s gymnastics in American history. To get to the top, Dominique would have to survive racism, abuse, and the all-consuming pressure of the world stage, all while she was still a teenager.
In this episode, we’re going to turn back the clock 30 years, when all eyes were on seven American teenagers hoping to make history — and on U.S. soil. If the pressure didn’t get to them first.
Show Notes
- The Chicago mayor who said ‘no’ to the World Cup – a dome on Soldier Field was the last straw | The Athletic
- Dominique Dawes 1996 Floor Final | The Gym Spot
- Kerri Strug Vaults at Atlanta 1996 | Olympics
- Olympian Dominique Dawes shares emotions, details about recent miscarriage | TODAY
- The Dominique Dawes Academy
Show Credits
Host: David Greene
Executive Producers: Joan Isabella, Tom Grahsler
Senior Producer: Michael Olcott
Producer: Michaela Winberg
Associate Producer: Bibiana Correa
Additional Production: Sherri Daye Scott
Talent Booker: Britt Kahn
Engineers: Mike Villers
Tile Art: Bea Walling
Theme Song: Emma Munger
Sports in America is a production of WHYY, distributed by PRX, and part of the NPR podcast network.