Bold move put Gabby on path to gold-Exclusive News

Gabby Douglas of the U.S. is the new Olympic women's all-around gymnastics champion
Douglas decided at age 12 she wanted to work with coach Liang Chow
She moved away from her family at age 14 to chase her Olympic dream

(CNN) -- In the end, Gabby Douglas' massive gamble paid off.

Like many young girls, she sat glued to the TV during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, mesmerized by the dazzling gymnasts flipping their way to glory.

But instead of living vicariously through Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin as they won their gold medals, 12-year-old Douglas hatched a drastic plan to ensure that fairy tale became her reality:

She must train with Johnson's coach, even if that meant leaving her family in Virginia.

"She started saying, 'I need that coach. I need Coach Chow,'" her mother, Natalie Hawkins, recalled to HLN.

Liang Chow soared to international fame as a Chinese gymnast before settling down in the middle of Iowa to teach American gymnasts. It was there where Johnson morphed from a 6-year-old novice to a world-class athlete.

Fifteen-year-old Katie Ledecky reacts after winning the women's 800-meter freestyle final on Friday, August 3.

Left to right: Silver medallist Mireia Belmonte Garcia of Spain, gold medallist Katie Ledecky of the United States and bronze medallist Rebecca Adlington of Great Britain on the podium during the medal ceremony for the women's 800-meter freestyle final on day 7 of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Left to right: Silver medallists Chad le Clos of South Africa and Evgeny Korotyshkin of Russia and gold medallist Michael Phelps listen to the United States national anthem during the medal ceremony for the men's 100-meter butterfly final on Friday, August 3.

Michael Phelps competes in the men's 100-meter butterfly final.

Missy Franklin, left, is congratulated by Elizabeth Beisel after winning gold and breaking the world record in the women's 200-meter backstroke final on Friday.

Missy Franklin competes in the women's 200-meter backstroke final. Franklin took gold in the event and American Elizabeth Beisel took bronze.

Left to right: Silver medallist Anastasia Zueva of Russia, gold medallist Missy Franklin of the United States and bronze medallist Elizabeth Beisel of the United States on the podium during the medal ceremony for the women's 200-meter backstroke final on Day 7 of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Tyler Clary reacts after winning the gold in the men's 200-meter backstroke final in London on Thursday, August 2.

Tyler Clary celebrates after winning the gold in the men's 200-meter backstroke final. Clary beat Ryan Lochte with an Olympic-record time of 1:53.41.

Left to right: Ryan Lochte, Tyler Clary and China's Fenglin Zhang compete in the men's 200-meter backstroke final.

U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps on the podium after winning the men's 200-meter individual medley in the London Olympics.

Phelps, center, dives next to U.S. swimmer Ryan Lochte, top, and Japan's Kosuke Hagino at the start of the 200-meter individual medley.

Phelps, who will retire after the Olympics, made history this week when he became the Olympian with the most medals. He earned his 20th in the individual medley event.

Phelps led from the first leg of the butterfly, his specialty, until he touched the wall more than a half-second ahead of teammate Ryan Lochte.

Phelps reacts to winning gold in the 200-meter Individual medley.

Phelps bested Lochte, right, on Thursday to win the gold in their second head-to-head race. Over the weekend Lochte took gold in the 400-meter individual while Phelps could only manage fourth.

U.S. gymnast Gabrielle Douglas celebrates on the podium after winning the gymnastics women's individual all-around final on Thursday.

American Gabrielle Douglas performs in front of the judges during her the individual all-around gymnastics final on Thursday.

Gymnast Gabrielle Douglas performs in the floor exercise at the North Greenwich Arena.

Douglas waves to the crowd after winning the gold medal.

American Kayla Harrison reacts on the podium after winning the gold medal in women's judo on Thursday.

American Kayla Harrison, in white, and Gemma Gibbons of Britain compete in women's judo on Thursday.

Kayla Harrison, in white, and Britain's Gemma Gibbons fight for first place.

United States' Kayla Harrison reacts after winning the match.

From left, Britain's silver medalist Gemma Gibbons, United States' gold medalist Kayla Harrison, Brazil's bronze medalist Mayra Aguiar, and France's bronze medalist Audrey Tcheumeo, pose on the podium after the women's judo competition.

Members of the U.S. rowing team celebrate with their gold medals during the medal ceremony after the women's eight final at Eton Dorney in Windsor, England.

The U.S. team poses on their boat after winning their gold medals.

Americans Zsuzsanna Francia and Esther Lofgren celebrate first place.

Members of the gold medal-winning U.S. team, the silver medal-winning Canadian team and the bronze medal-winning Dutch team line up during the medal ceremony.

U.S. team hug after receiving their gold medals during the medal ceremony.

Wearing their gold medals, members of the U.S. team celebrate in their boat.

The U.S. team throws their cox Mary Whipple into the water after their big win.

A member of the U.S. team wears an Uncle Sam getup after she and her teammates won the gold medal in the women's eight rowing final.

U.S. gold medalists, from left, Dana Vollmer, Allison Schmitt, Shannon Vreeland and Missy Franklin celebrate on the podium after winning the women's 4x200-meter freestyle relay on Wednesday.

Dana Vollmer competes in the women's 4x200-meter freestyle relay.

From left, Shannon Vreeland, Dana Vollmer and Missy Franklin watch teammate Allison Schmitt finish first to win the relay.

The U.S. team celebrates after winning the 4x200-meter freestyle relay.

The U.S. women's swim team reacts to their victory over Australia.

At left, Shannon Vreeland, Missy Franklin, Allison Schmitt and Dana Vollmer of the United States celebrate next to the Australian team.

Missy Franklin, Dana Vollmer, Shannon Vreeland and Allison Schmitt celebrate on the podium after taking the gold in the women's 4x200-meter freestyle relay on Wedesnday. It was the United States' eighth gold in swimming.

U.S. gold medalist Nathan Adrian poses on the podium after the men's 100-meter freestyle swimming event on Wednesday.

American swimmer Nathan Adrian celebrates after winning the men's 100-meter freestyle final.

From left, silver medalist James Magnussen of Australia, gold medalist Nathan Adrian of the United States and Brent Hayden of Canada stand with their medals on the podium during the medal cermony for the men's 100-meter freestyle final.

U.S. gold medalist Nathan Adrian celebrates after his win.

U.S. swimmer Nathan Adrian reacts after winning the men's 100-meter freestyle.

American swimmer Nathan Adrian raises his hands in triumph.

Cyclist Kristin Armstrong celebrates winning a gold medal in the Olympic cycling time trial on Wednesday. She also won the medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Armstrong pushes ahead Wednesday during the women's individual time trial road cycling event.

Armstrong celebrates the gold with her son, Lucas, during the medal ceremony.

Armstrong is victorious in London.

From left, gold medallists Ryan Lochte, Conor Dwyer, Ricky Berens and Michael Phelps pose on the podium during the medal ceremony for the Men's 4x200-meter freestyle relay final on Tuesday.

U.S. swimmers Ryan Lochte, center, Conor Dwyer, left, Ricky Berens, right, and Michael Phelps, in the water, react after their win.

American Michael Phelps competes in the men's 4x200-meter freestyle relay final.

Michael Phelps set an Olympic record with his 19th lifetime medal.

Gold medalist U.S. swimmer Allison Schmitt stands on the podium after the women's 200-meter freestyle final.

American swimmer Allison Schmitt celebrates after winning the 200-meter freestyle final.

Gold medalist Allison Schmitt poses with her medal.

Allison Schmitt celebrates in the water after winning the gold.

Allison Schmitt, left, is congratulated by Bronte Barratt of Australia after her win.

Gold medalist Allison Schmitt, center, silver medalist Camille Muffat of France, right, and bronze medalist Bronte Barratt of Australia smile on the podium after the women's 200-meter freestyle final on Tuesday.

From left, gold medalist U.S. team McKayla Maroney, Kyla Ross, Alexandra Raisman, Gabrielle Douglas and Jordyn Wieber celebrate their gold medal in the women's gymnastics team final on Tuesday. They won the United States' seventh gold medal.

The gold medal hangs from the Olympian's neck.

American Kyla Ross and coach Jenny Zhang hug during the women's gymnastics team final Tuesday.

U.S. gymnast Gabrielle Douglas performs on the beam during the women's team final of the gymnastics event.

U.S. women's gymnastics coach John Geddert celebrates with his team after they won the gold in the team competition Tuesday.

American Alexandra Raisman competes on the balance beam Tuesday.

Vincent Hancock shows off his gold medal in men's skeet shooting Tuesday.

Hancock aims during the men's skeet shooting qualification round Tuesday at the Royal Artillery Barracks in London. The U.S. Army sergeant also won a gold medal in the 2008 Bejing Olympics.

U.S. swimmer Missy Franklin celebrates winning the women's 100-meter backstroke final swimming event at the London 2012 Olympic Games on Monday, July 30.

Missy Franklin of the United States wipes a tear from her face as she reacts during the medal ceremony for the women's 100-meter backstroke on Monday.

From left, Camille Lacourt of France, Matt Grevers of the United States and Liam Tancock of Great Britain compete the final of the men's 100-meter backstroke on Monday.

American Matthew Grevers (left) celebrates winning gold with silver medalist and fellow American Nick Thoman at the finish of the men's 100-meter backstroke final swimming on Monday.

From left, silver medalist Emily Seebohm of Australia, gold medalist Missy Franklin of the United States and bronze medalist Aya Terakawa of Japan celebrate with their medals during the medal ceremony for the women's 100-meter backstroke on Monday.

U.S. swimmer Dana Vollmer poses on the podium after winning a gold medal in the women's 100-meter butterfly final at the London Olympics on Sunday, July 29.

Vollmer set a world record in winning the 100-meter butterfly, becoming the first woman to go under 56 seconds.

Vollmer celebrates after breaking the world record on Sunday.

Kim Rhode listens to the U.S. national anthem after winning the gold medal in women's skeet shooting Sunday.

Rhode celebrates winning the skeet competition at the Royal Artillery Barracks.

Ryan Lochte celebrates with his gold medal during the men's 400-meter individual medley medal ceremony on Saturday. He captured the first U.S. gold medal of the Games.

Lochte poses with medal on Saturday. His dental braces bear the U.S. flag.

Lochte reacts after winning the men's 400-meter individual medley final. U.S. teammate and competitor Michael Phelps finished fourth.

Lochte competes in the men's 400-meter individual medley final. "I know it's my time, and I'm ready."

The 400-meter individual medley event Lochte won combines four types of strokes.

While Lochte (above) took gold, Brazil's Thiago Pereira secured the silver medal and Japan's Kosuke Hagino won bronze.

Olympics: American gold medals

Left to right: Denmark's Lasse Norman Hansen, Michael Morkov, Rasmus Christian Quaade and Casper von Flosach prepare to compete in the men's team pursuit track cycling event on Friday, August 3. Check out Day 6 of competition from Thursday, August 2. The Games run through August 12. See all the action as it unfolds here.

Great Britain's Christopher Tomlinson competes in the men's long jump qualification on Day 7 of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

South Africa's captain Austin Smith, left, advances the ball forward with Roc Oliva of Spain in pursuit during the men's hockey match.

Casey Stoney of Great Britain goes down in the penalty box during the women's football quarter final match between Great Britain and Canada in Coventry, England.

Krishan Vikas of India, left, in action with Errol Spence of United States, right, during the men's welter (69 kilogram) boxing match.

Poland's Adrian Edward Zielinski poses on the podium with his gold medal after winning the men's 85 kilogram group A weightlifting event.

China's Xu Chen, left, and Ma Jin, right, play against China's Zhang Nan and Zhao Yunlei (not pictured) during the mixed doubles gold medal match.

Nicholas Willis of New Zealand and Yoann Kowal of France compete in the men's 1500-meter round 1 heats at Olympic Stadium in London.

Woo Young Won of South Korea celebrates after defeating Romania to win the gold medal in the men's sabre team fencing.

Adrian Edward Zielinski of Poland celebrates on the podium after winning the gold medal after the men's 85 kilogram weightlifting final.

Reese Hoffa of the United States competes in the men's shot put final.

Marc Salles of Spain celebrates after scoring a goal during the men's hockey match against South Africa.

Sweden's pivot Hanna Fogelstrom, left, jumps to shoot during the women's preliminary group B handball match against Spain.

Emilie Heymans of Canada competes in the women's 3-meter springboard diving preliminary round on Day 7 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre on Friday, August 3, in London.

Daniele Lupo of Italy spikes the ball during the men's beach volleyball round of 16 match between the United States and Italy on Friday.

Italy's Aldo Montano, left, fences against Russia's Alexey Yakimenko during the men's sabre bronze medal match as part of the fencing event on Friday.

Italy's Flavio Cannone, center, and China's Dong Dong, up, train before the men's trampoline final of the artistic gymnastics event on Friday.

Lyudmyla Yosypenko of Ukraine competes in the women's heptathlon shot put on on Friday.

Russia's Nadezda Bazhina competes in the preliminary round of the women's 3-meter springboard diving event on Friday.

Renata Costa of Brazil blasts a shot over the bar as goalkeeper Miho Fukumoto of Japan looks on during the women's football quarter final match between Brazil and Japan on Friday.

Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro reacts after losing the men's singles semi-final match against Switzerland's Roger Federer on Friday.

Turkish guard Isil Alben, center, jumps with the ball during the women's preliminary round basketball match between Turkey and China on Friday.

Italy's Paolo Nicolai dives for the ball during the men's beach volleyball match against Todd Rogers and Phil Dalhausser from the United States on Friday.

China's Wu Minxia competes in the preliminary round of the women's 3-meter springboard diving event on Friday.

Italy's Aldo Montano and teammates celebrate winning the bronze medal after the men's sabre bronze medal match against Russia on Friday.

Aldo Montano of Italy reacts after winning the bronze medal by defeating Russia during the men's sabre team fencing on Friday.

From left, Ezinne Okparaebo of Norway, Verena Sailer of Germany and Myriam Soumare of France compete in the women's 100-meter on Friday.

Great Britain huddles up before the women's basketball preliminary round match against France on Friday.

U.S. swimmer Missy Franklin competes in the women's 200-meter backstroke final on Friday.

Britain's Andy Murray reacts during his men's singles semifinal round match against Serbia's Novak Djokovic on Friday.

France's Teddy Riner, right, fights Russia's Alexander Mikhaylin to win the gold in the men's over 100-kilogram judo final on Friday.

French boxer Alexis Vastine shows off some fancy footwork during his welterweight bout against Tuvshinbat Byamba of Mongolia.

Bethania de la Cruz de Pena, left, of the Dominican Republic spikes the ball as Britain's Savanah Leaf, center, and Ciara Michel defend during women's volleyball action.

Brazil's Alexandra Nascimento shoots during a women's preliminary handball match against Russia.

Russia's Natalya Zabolotnaya competes in the women's 75-kilogram weightlifting final.

Tianwei Feng of Singapore competes during the women's team table-tennis match against Poland.

American Sydney Leroux, right, celebrates with teammates Lauren Cheney, center, and Carli Lloyd after scoring against New Zealand during the women's football quarterfinal match.

Competition gets under way in the men's Finn sailing in Weymouth, England.

U.S. player Serena Williams makes a return against Victoria Azarenka of Belarus during their women's singles semifinal.

Brazilian guard Joice Rodrigues, second from right, vies with Canadian forward Lizanne Murphy during a women's preliminary round basketball match.

Yasuhiro Ueyama of Japan competes in the men's trampoline event.

Croatia's Andrea Penezic, right, grabs the face of Bojana Popovic of Montenegro during the women's handball preliminaries.

Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro reacts after his singles semifinal match against Switzerland's Roger Federer.

Britain's James Tindall, center, makes a move during the men's field hockey match between Britain and Pakistan.

A ball appears in the net of a goal during the women's preliminary handball match between Russia and Brazil.

Egypt's Khalil Mahmoud K Abir Abdelrahman fails to complete a lift during the women's 75-kilogram weightlifting final.

Britain's Ben Ainslie competes in the men's Finn sailing.

Japan's Kasumi Ishikawa, left, and Ai Fukuhara compete against a U.S. team in the women's team table-tennis action.

Rick Van Der Ven of the Netherlands competes during the men's individual archery semifinal.

Russia's Ekaterina Gnidenko puts on her gloves as she prepares to compete in the women's cycling-track keirin qualifying event.

Japan's Masaki Ito competes in the men's trampoline event.

Pawel Fajdek of Poland competes in the men's hammer throw qualification.

Montenegro pivot Suzana Lazovic jumps to shoot during a women's preliminary handball match against Croatia.

China's Tong Wen celebrates her victory in the women's over 78-kilogram judo bronze medal match.

Minxia Wu of China competes in the women's 3-meter springboard diving preliminary round.

Britain's Hannah Mills, left, and Saskia Clark compete in the women's sailing 470 opening series.

Russia's Ekaterina Gnidenko warms up before the women's cycling-track keirin event.

Lidia Valentin Perez of Spain competes in the women's 75-kilogram weightlifting final.

Ihar Makarau, left, of Belarus competes with Cuba's Oscar Brayson during the men's over 100-kilogram judo repechage match.

Canadian Custio Clayton gets ready for a welterweight match against Australia's Cameron Hammond. Clayton took the contest 14-11.

Corine Franco of France and Marie Hammarstrom of Sweden battle for the ball during a women's football quarterfinal match.

Cuba's Oscar Brayson is victorious in the men's over 100-kilogram judo bronze medal match.

Italy's Vincenzo Picardi, right, is on the receiving end against Tugstsogt Nyambayar of Mongolia during a flyweight match.

Sophie van Gestel of the Netherlands takes a breather during a women's beach volleyball match against Brazilian opponents.

Britain's Katherine Grainger and Anna Watkins celebrate after winning gold in the women's double skulls.

Tania Cagnotto of Italy competes in the women's 3-meter springboard diving preliminary round.

Spectators take cover during the dressage preliminaries at Greenwich Park in London.

Helen Langehanenberg of Germany rides Damon Hill in the dressage grand prix.

Italy's Yuri Floriani, left, and Kenya's Brimin Kiprop Kipruto compete in the men's 3,000-meter steeplechase.

Jessica Ennis of Great Britain competes in the women's heptathlon high jump.

Fans cheers Australia's players as they leave the court after defeating Russia in a women's basketball preliminary round.

Brazil's Maria Suelen Altheman, in white, competes with Kazakhstan's Gulzhan Issanova during the women's over 78-kilogram judo repechage match.

Regina George of Nigeria shows off some colorful footwear before the women's 400-meter heats.

Malaysia's Chong Wei Lee takes a swing in the men's singles badminton semifinal.

Fans take in the Olympic atmosphere on Day 7 at Eton Dorney, the rowing venue in Windsor, England.

Cameroon's Madias Dodo Nzesso Ngake competes in the women's 75-kilogram weightlifting event.

France's Laura Georges, left, battles for the ball with Caroline Seger of Sweden during the women's football quarterfinal match.

Algeria's Samir Brahimi kneels in prayer following his loss in the men's flyweight boxing match to Misha Aloian of Russia.

Malaysia's Chong Wei Lee celebrates winning the men's singles badminton semifinal against Long Chen of China.

Yuegu Wang, left, and Jiawei Li of Singapore face off against Polish competitors during a first-round match in women's team table tennis.

The Czech Republic's Andrea Hlavackova casts a shadow on the court as she warms up before a women's double tennis semifinal against Americans Liezel Huber and Lisa Raymond.

Sara Ramirez of Spain gets a point against China's Guo Yue during a table-tennis match.

An aerial view shows the beach volleyball venue at Horse Guards Parade in London.

China's Wen Tong, in white, and Idalys Ortiz of Cuba compete in the women's over 78-kilogram judo event.

Australia's Suzy Batkovic, center, reacts after losing the ball under pressure from Russia's Irina Osipova during a women's basketball preliminary round.

Fans take shelter from the rain, while the Olympic Cauldron remains aflame at Olympic Stadium.

From left, Cristina Llovera of Andorra, Shinoona Salah Al-Habsi of Oman and Diane Borg of Malta compete in the women's 100-meter heats.

The ball gets served during a men's beach volleyball match between Switzerland and Poland.

France's Blandine Dancette jumps to shoot during a women's preliminary handball match between South Korea and France.

Italy's Libania Grenot, center, checks out the scoreboard after the women's 400-meter heats.

Koji Murofushi of Japan in action during the men's hammer throw qualification.

Sarah Cowley of New Zealand competes in the women's heptathlon high jump.

France's Mariama Signate, left, vies with South Korea's Ryu Eun Hee during a women's preliminary handball match.

Fatima Sulaiman Dahman of Yemen competes in women's 100-meter heats.

Hamish Bond and Eric Murray of New Zealand celebrate after winning gold in the men's pair at the Olympic rowing regatta.

Uzbekistan's Sherzodjon Yusupov celebrates during the men's 85-kilogram weightlifting event.

Katherine Grainger and Anna Watkins of Great Britain celebrate after winning gold in the women's double sculls final.

Britain's Amy Smith reacts after competing in the women's 50-meter freestyle swim-off.

Journalists try to keep their equipment dry with rain covers at the Olympic Stadium.

New Zealand's Eric Murray, left, and Hamish Bond celebrate with their gold medals during the ceremony for the men's pair at the Olympic rowing regatta.

Japan's Mika Sugimoto salutes the mat after winning the women's over 78-kilogram judo quarterfinal.

Poland's Grzegorz Fijalek dives for the ball during a beach volleyball match.

Italy's Aldo Montano awaits a decision during the men's saber team fencing quarterfinal against Aliaksandr Buikevich of Belarus.

Athletes compete in the women's 400-meter heats at Olympic Stadium.

Marlena Wesh of Haiti rejoices after competing in the women's 400-meter heats.

France' s Alexandra Lacrabere, in white, shoots over South Koreans Eun Hee Ryu, left, and Im Jeong Choi during a women's handball preliminaries match.

Sweden's Lisa Dahlkvist, right, vies with France's Louisa Necib during a women's football match at Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland.

Italy's Aldo Montano celebrates gaining the qualifying point against Aliaksandr Buikevich of Belarus during the men's saber team quarterfinals.

Russian guard Becky Hammon, left, vies with Australian center Elizabeth Cambage during a women's preliminary round basketball match.

Bronze medalists Magdalena Fularczyk, left, and Julia Michalska of Poland celebrate their medals during the ceremony for the women's double sculls final.

Russian center Irina Osipova, left, faces off with Australian center Elizabeth Cambage, center, during a women's preliminary round basketball match.

Jennifer Oeser of Germany competes in the women's heptathlon 100-meter hurdles heat.

The Olympic Cauldron burns at the Olympic Stadium.

Xin Wang of China competes in the women's singles badminton semifinal at Wembley Arena.

Athletes leave the blocks at the start of the women's 100-meter heat.

From left, Brazil's Sheilla Castro, Fabiana Claudino and Paula Pequeno attempt to block during a women's preliminary pool volleyball match between Brazil and China.

Britain's Amy Smith gets ready to compete in the women's 50-meter freestyle heat.

Daniel Fogg of Great Britain makes a turn in the men's 1,500-meter freestyle.

American Ariel Hsing competes in the women's team first-round table-tennis match.

Jessica Ennis of Great Britain wins the women's heptathlon 100-meter hurdles heat.

Tahmina Kohistani of Afghanistan competes in the women's 100-meter heat.

Ewa Palies of Great Britain goes up for a shot during the women's handball preliminaries match against Angola.

Poland's Karolina Tyminska, left, competes in the women's heptathlon 100-meter hurdles heat.

Papua New Guinea's Steven Kari gestures while competing during the men's 85-kilogram weightlifting event.

Gonzalo Peillat of Argentina battles with Matthew Butturini of Australia during a men's hockey preliminary match.

Reese Hoffa of the United States competes in the men's shot put qualification.

Warren Potent of Australia competes in the men's 50-meter rifle prone shooting qualification.

Hungary's Barna Bor reacts during an over 100-kilogram judo contest match.

Jessica Ennis of Great Britain competes in the women's heptathlon 100-meter hurdles heat.

Marco Fortes of Portugal competes in the men's shot put qualification.

From left, Jennifer Oeser of Germany, Louise Hazel of Great Britain and Jessica Samuelsson of Sweden compete in the women's heptathlon 100-meter hurdles heat.

Ranomi Kromowidjojo of the Netherlands competes in the women's 50-meter freestyle heat.

Paula Pequeno of Brazil celebrates a point in the first set against China during women's volleyball.

Jolien Sysmans of Belgium dives into the water at the start of the women's 50-meter freestyle heat.

Angolan goalkeeper Cristina Direito tries to make a save during a women's preliminary handball match against Great Britain.

Oman's Shinoona Salah Al-Habsi, left, and Diane Borg of Malta compete in the women's 100-meter heats.

Day 7: The best photos of the Olympics

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Day 7: The best photos

Gymnast's mom on Olympic sacrifices

Kerri Strug talks Olympic gymnastics

Gabby Douglas takes gold

But Chow's gym was 1,200 miles away from Douglas, her siblings and her mother, who didn't think the idea would work.

"I said, well, I can't move the family to Iowa. I'm a single parent; I didn't have the resources to do something like that," Hawkins said.

But Douglas wasn't just headstrong; she was a rare talent who vaulted up the ranks of gymnastics at an early age.

She won a Virginia state championship at age 8, just two years after starting formal training.

"She just never wanted to come out of the gym," Hawkins said. "She loved it. She would just practice all the time. So I saw then the hard work."

But in order to reach her full potential, Douglas insisted she needed an elite coach -- specifically, the one she had admired on TV.

At age 14, Douglas received her mother's blessing to go train with Chow. The tiny athlete headed west and moved in with a host family with four younger girls, including another one of Chow's students.

'Fab Five' brings home gold for gymnastics

Both Hawkins and her daughter would have to learn how to be a family five states apart.

"That was very painful. It was scary. How would I still be Mom back in Virginia when she's living in Iowa? How does that work?" Hawkins said.

It wasn't just the physical distance that strained the family. Douglas' gymnastics took a heavy financial toll, too.

"Sometimes it felt crushing. I didn't think I could keep her in this sport," Hawkins said. "But then I'd think about it and say, you've got to fight."

Douglas fought, too, battling through nerves and falls during her early days with Chow to bounce back in time for the 2012 Olympic trials -- where she topped the field and nabbed the only guaranteed spot on the Olympic team.

Along the way, she was nicknamed "the Flying Squirrel" for her remarkably high release moves on the uneven bars.

In her two years with Chow, Douglas won a team gold medal at the 2011 world championships in Tokyo, another team gold medal at the London Olympics and finally the sweetest prize of them all -- the Olympic individual all-around championship.

At 4 feet, 11 inches tall, Douglas now stands on top of the gymnastics world.

Complete coverage on the Olympics

Friday, August 3, 2012

Bold move put Gabby on path to gold