Self Magazine Cover Story 2024

Dominique Moceanu, Shannon Miller, and Dominique Dawes Take a Victory Lap

After winning gold in Atlanta as teenagers, three iconic gymnasts reflect on 1996, their influence on women’s sports, and their hopes for the next generation of female athletes.

On July 23, 1996, seven teenage gymnasts in red, white, and blue leotards and matching white scrunchies marched into the Georgia Dome. It was the Olympic women’s gymnastics team final, and as soon as the USA placard appeared, the crowd of more than 30,000 spectators roared. The thundering cheers were deafening as captain Amanda Borden led her team to their position by the uneven bars. The royal blue duffle bags on their shoulders were almost as big as the athletes themselves.

Borden, Dominique Dawes, Shannon Miller, Dominique Moceanu, Kerri Strug, Amy Chow, and Jaycie Phelps were touted as the best American women’s gymnastics team ever assembled. Dawes, Miller, and Strug had all competed at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, where Miller won five medals—the most of any American at those Games. Borden offered steadfast leadership. Chow was as solid and consistent as they come. And the younger athletes, who Miller affectionately refers to as “the whippersnappers”? They had so much energy.

They were the country’s best hope for its first Olympic team gold in women’s gymnastics. They were the Magnificent Seven.

Read full story at https://www.self.com/story/1996-olympic-gymnasts-reunion

By Christine Yu
Photography by Nadya Wasylko

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