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Dianne Durham, first Black national gymnastics champion, to join USAG Hall of Fame
Jun 11, 2021 45 secs
USA Gymnastics announced Friday that Dianne Durham will be inducted into the 2021 Hall of Fame, 38 years after she became the first Black gymnast to win the senior national championship and four months after her death at age 52.

The last gymnast to beat Retton in all-around competition, Durham seemed bound for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and a run at the all-around title, but a combination of injuries and politics deprived her of a spot on the team.

"Dianne loved gymnastics no matter what," Durham's husband, Tom Drahozal, told ESPN.

Members of the 1984 Olympic team reached out to say Durham was long overdue her spot in the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame.

Drahozal said he believes the groundswell of support for his wife after her death, as well as the efforts of members of the 1984 women's Olympic gymnastics team, pushed USA Gymnastics and the Hall of Fame committee to finally recognize Durham.

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