About Black Gymnasts in History
Black Gymnasts in History was launched in February 2016 to bring visibility and pay tribute to the many athletes who have paved the way in gymnastics’ various disciplines and continue to inspire today’s generation. Every year during Black History Month in February, Black Gymnasts in History highlights the accomplishments of tumblers, trampolinists, artistic gymnasts, rhythmic gymnasts, and coaches. We are continually adding athletes to this inspiring lineup. If you feel we’ve left someone out, please contact us! We rely on our community to make sure this project is comprehensive of all Black gymnasts’ contributions and impact on the sport. Download our one-pager here.
“It is important to remember, that to break barriers,
to fight for inclusion and acceptance,
to achieve equal access and rights for all Americans,
takes a struggle – a constant and persistent fight
to do the right thing.”
WENDY HILLIARD
Black Gymnasts in History: A Timeline of FIRSTS
1964
Sid Oglesby
The first NCAA event champion (vault)
The first Black All-American (Syracuse University)
1968
James Kanati Allen
The first Black male to be named to the U.S. Olympic team
1969
Jackie Court
The first Black gymnastics coach hired at Brown University and a pioneer in the NCAA’s Title IX movement for women’s equality in sports
1972
Alexandra Nicholson
The first Black female to win an individual medal at the World Championships (Trampoline, Gold) and the first trampolinist to complete the triffis (a full-twisting triple back somersault)
1979
Wendy Hilliard
The first Black athlete to represent the USA internationally in rhythmic gymnastics
1980
Luci Collins
The first Black female to be named to the U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Team
1980
Dickie Bivins
The first Black male to win an individual medal at the World Championships (Platform tumbling, Bronze & Power Tumbling, Bronze) and the first American to perform a triple back in a world competition
1983
Dianne Durham
The first Black female U.S. All-Around champion and the first to win an individual national event title (Vault, Balance Beam, Floor)
1989
Corrinne Wright Tarver
The first Black NCAA all-around champion as a member of the University of Georgia and the first head coach of an HBCU women’s gymnastics team (Fisk University, 2022-present)
1991
Betty Okino
The first Black gymnast to win the American Cup
1992
Dominique Dawes
The first Black female gymnast to win an individual Olympic medal (Floor bronze, 1996) and the first to attend more than one Olympics (1992, 1996, 2000)
1994
Rayshine Harris
The most decorated Black U.S. power tumbler (12-time World Champion and 5-time National Champion)
1996
Jair Lynch
The first Black male gymnast to attend more than one Olympics (1992, 1996)
The first Black male gymnast to win an individual Olympic medal (Parallel Bars silver, 1996)
2002
Shenea Booth
The first Black Sports Acro Mixed Pairs world champion (2002, 2004)
2007
Taqiy Abdullah-Simmons
The first Black NCAA male all-around champion
2012
Gabby Douglas
The first Black Olympic All-Around Gymnastics Champion
2022
Fisk University
The 1st-ever gymnastics team at a historically Black college or university
2022
Trinity Thomas
Ties the NCAA career record for most perfect 10s with her 28th 10.0 on vault (University of Florida)
2022
First All-Black Podium at U.S. Championships
Konnor McClain (gold), Shilese Jones (silver), Jordan Chiles (bronze)
2023
First All-Black Podium at the World Championships
Simone Biles (gold), Rebeca Andrade (silver), Shilese Jones (bronze)
2023
Simone Biles
The most decorated gymnast in history, with 37 Olympic & World Championship medals and the first 6-time World All-Around Champion (2013–2015, 2018–2019, 2023)
