Thomas Warren, wtop.com
WASHINGTON – Gabby Douglas and her U.S. gymnastics teammates may still be basking in the glow of their gold medals, but their winning ways are already making an impact on the next generation of possible future Olympians.
Dionna Hall, 13, stayed up late to watch the women win the team gold medal and Douglas win the individual all-around event.
“I just really liked it and thought maybe one day I could do that,” Hall says.
Hall is one of 150 kids taking part in summer gymnastics camp at Silver Stars Gymnastics in Silver Spring, Md. The club has had 3-time Olympic coach Miles Avery and 2004 silver medalist Blaine Wilson as instructors.
In July, June Durkee, 13, competed in the trampoline event at the Junior Nationals in California.
She wasn’t too pleased with her 13th-place finish, but she sees the Olympics in her future.
“It’s just like a dream come true,” Durkee says. “It’s my personal goal.”
Janaye Labule, 7, says she watched the women’s gymnastics team throughout their competition, especially Gabby Douglas. She even pictured herself in Douglas’s shoes as she watched on television.
“I thought about me being on TV and my family and friends watching me,” she says.
The summer camp the kids are attending runs through August 31. Camp organizers say enrollment is still open.
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