It's not uncommon to be inspired by the 2012 Olympic Champion, Gabrielle Douglas. Just some of her exceptional achievements include being the first American gymnasts in history to win the Olympic All-Around and Team Gold in 2012, Subway Sportswoman of the Year, Nickelodeon's 2014 Kids' Choice Sports Award for Best Female Athlete, and the YoungStars Award at the 2013 BET Awards. With a long list of accomplishments, it is no wonder why she has inspired thousands of athletes worldwide; however, there is one young gymnast who has given this Olympic Champion the inspiration to keep pressing forward.
Amarissa Mauricio, a 13-year-old aspiring gymnast, was passionately pursuing her dream to become like Gabby Douglas until she was diagnosed with Lupus, an incurable autoimmune disease that attacks vital organs. The doctors told her she would no longer be able to continue participating in gymnastics. The devastation was almost unbearable as she saw her dreams fade away, and her wish to meet Gabby Douglas grow dim.
News of Amarissa's situation reached Gabby and she immediately jumped into action to help. Before she knew it, she was headed out to Iowa State to meet Amarissa and spend some time in the gym with her. The day consisted of these athletes working on different balance beam skills, trying on Gabby's gymnastics grips from the 2012 Olympics and even witnessing first hand some of Gabby's Olympic floor routine. The highlight of the day came when Gabrielle Douglas put one of her Olympic Gold medals on Amarissa and had her stand on top of a block to reenact the podium award ceremony. Later that day, Gabby gave this young athlete two of her signature leotards as a reminder to never give up. One of the leotards was our Lemon Lime Gabrielle Leotard E2602 with matching Lemon Lime Sparkle Gabby Workout Shorts E2601 and the other from her summer collection, the Gabrielle Gypsy Wave Gymnastics Leotard E2484, so they could match when they went to the gym.
Gabby tells NBC, “[Amarissa] is a huge inspiration to me, to remember to keep fighting if things get hard, if things get tough.” Amarissa is an inspiration to all, and reminds us to never give up on our dreams.
Every season, Gabby Douglas designs new gymnastics leotards so her fans can find inspiration in the exclusive prints, flattering style lines, and exquisite embellishments. Click here to see the newest selection of Gabby Douglas Signature gymnastics apparel, and find your inspiration today.
GK. Choice Of Champions.