Olympic Gymnast Dominique Dawes Reflects on Need for Increased Support
When it comes to passing along advice, Dawes jokingly mentioned that Biles, as she enters her third Olympics, “does not need advice from me.” However, as the co-chair of the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition, Dawes does have some tips for all of Team USA’s athletes. Alongside Biles are veteran teammates Jade Carey, Jordan Chiles, and Suni Lee, as well as newcomer Hezley Rivera.
One of Dawes’ tips is to make sure to fuel up, with her go-to being a scoop of Skippy peanut butter, the official spread of USA Gymnastics. Not only does she find it to be a “wonderful, healthy protein snack,” but she also often serves it to her daughters Kateri, 10, and Quinn, 8, as well as her 6-year-old twin sons Lincoln and Dakota: “They are very high energy kids, very athletic kids, and it’s a great way to make sure that their energy stays up.”
Additionally, she advises competitors to prioritize their mental well-being just as much as their training sessions in order to keep their spirits high.