Dominique Dawes may forever be identified as one of the “Magnificent Seven” from the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, but her impact on and off the mat extends far beyond that gold medal moment.

Dawes started in gymnastics at age six and was competing by age 10. She managed to score a place on the 1992 U.S. team bound for Barcelona, becoming the first African-American gymnast to qualify for the Olympics. Dawes ended up winning the bronze medal alongside her teammates. At the 1994 Nationals, she swept the board by winning the all-around title as well as securing gold medals in all four individual events. In addition to contributing to her team’s epic gold-medal victory, Dawes became the first African-American gymnast to win an individual medal at the Atlanta Games (a bronze for floor exercise). Dawes even managed to qualify for the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

This three-time Olympian has kept busy since retiring from gymnastics. She’s worked as a multimedia correspondent for Yahoo! Sports during the Beijing Olympics and has covered both national as well as international gymnastics competitions for the likes of TNT, CBS Sports and Comcast Sports Net. Dawes also has made moves outside the broadcasting booth by appearing in the Broadway musical Grease as well as music videos for Prince and Missy Elliott.

Dawes is now making a name for herself as a motivational speaker. Sharing her personal and professional philosophy known as D-3 (Determination, Dedication, Desire). Dawes spreads her message of establishing self-esteem through positive body image coupled with a strong work ethic to youth and women’s groups. She also offers gymnastics clinics at facilities across the country, passing her love of the sport on to athletes of all ages. She earned her degree from the University of Maryland, College Park in 2002 and served as president for the Women’s Sports Foundation from 2005 to 2006. She’s even been a spokesperson for empowering crusades like the Girl Scouts of America’s Uniquely Me campaign.

With her accomplishments in the gym and her dedication to inspiring others, Dawes proves why she is affectionately known as “Awesome Dawesome.”

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When Amy Rodriguez entered her collegiate soccer career at USC, the team had never made it past the second round of the season-ending NCAA National Championship tournament.  Now, entering her senior year, the Trojans are defending champs.  When Amy first appeared in a major tournament for the United States Women’s National Team at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, it was with the lowest team expectations in history. Now, she and the rest of her teammates have gold medals.

“It’s just been the greatest year for me,” Rodriguez explains. “A national championship would have been fine but a gold medal just topped it all off.  For me, it’s been an unexpected and very eventful year but, at the same time, very awesome.”

Rodriguez, commonly called A-Rod by friends and fans alike, is a goal-scorer for whatever team she plays on.  She scored two goals in last season’s NCAA semi-finals to upset the rival UCLA squad and scored or assisted her teammates in scoring goals throughout the Olympic tournament.  Not a bad accomplishment for someone who was not even expected to start in Beijing.

“Going in, I was just happy to be there,” says Rodriguez.  But when injury after injury hit leading up to the tournament, culminating in a broken leg to the face of U.S. Women’s soccer, Abby Wambach, A-Rod was called upon. Looking back on the experience, she says, “I just wanted to make the biggest difference I could.”

With natural talent and heart-stopping quickness, A-Rod is a major threat to opposing defensive lines and definitely houses the potential of a difference-maker. Some have even called her a “clutch player.” Just when it doesn’t look possible, there’s Amy, somehow goal-side of her defender and with the ball at her feet.  Gifted as she is, her successes have not been attained without discipline and hard work.

“I really learned how much, how far hard work and dedication could get you,” she says.  “I just kept trying and kept working and improving.  I saw the difference and that’s why, when I got [to China], I actually got the call up to play.”

Part of this work ethic was inspired by Ali Khosroshahin, USC’s new coach who increased his team’s discipline in 2007. Amy and her teammates improved and became better-rounded, team-enhancing players.  After the success of the season, Amy took a semester off to train with the national team and prepare for the Olympics.

All work and no play?  Think again.  Known for being the team jokester, Amy has plenty of fun while she’s hard at work.  “She’s hilarious and loud—hilariously loud,” describes Darcy Couch, who works closely with the USC team in the school’s Department of Athletics.

Hard work and fun go hand in hand for this Olympian.  Returning to the Trojans for her final season she says, “I want to have a great senior year and be happy.”  She pauses for a moment and, with a smile on her face, continues, “And hopefully bring home another National Championship to USC.”

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