Dana Duckworth, niece of former Olympic weight-lifter and world record holder, has become the new face of American Gymnastics. The forty-year-old will take over the reigns from Patty Smythe, who is stepping down after fifteen years. With two national titles for the Tide and a silver medal at the 1996 Olympics in 1996, it seems that Duckworth has inherited a legacy that has been a major success in both strength and attitude building. She brings with her a wealth of experience which comes from her time as a member of the University of Alabama’s women’s gymnastics team where she coached the young women’s team that won the gold at the 1996 Olympics. She has also spent the last fifteen years working as an assistant to current Olympic gold medalist, trainer to the likes of Jill Leverman, Lauren Decker and Sabrina Carpenter.
Unlike most coaches, Duckworth has brought a refreshing perspective to her role as national team coach. She has brought a youthful energy and enthusiasm to the role that has impressed not only her players but the rest of the staff as well. She has created a winning atmosphere and instilled a winning attitude in the gymnasts that have under her. While there are those that might question her ability to recruit world-class talent into her program, as mentioned earlier, she has done so successfully. This does not mean that she will be able to win the World Games in swimming, as the best teams in the world compete in that sport, but this will help her program is a viable option for gymnasts looking for a jumpstart into the sport of gymnastic.
One of the major goals for any gymnast in today’s society is to have a competitive body size and a professional posture. Dana Duckworth will be able to accomplish this through the addition of age-appropriate equipment and stretching and toning programs. She has also worked with a number of well-known gymnasts and even helped develop their fitness routines and strength. With all of these talents, it is not hard to see why she has been named to the U.S. Olympic team and is considered one of the favorites to win the gold in 2021. Anyone who is a fan of gymnastic can’t afford to overlook this talented women’s coach.