Gabby Douglas donates Olympic items to Smithsonian

WASHINGTON (AP) — Olympic gymnast Gabrielle is donating personal items to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Douglas won Olympic gold at the age of 16 in the 2012 London games. She was the first African American woman to win gold in the individual all-around competition. The U.S. women’s team also won gold.

The Virginia Beach, Va., native is giving the museum the leotard she wore during her first competitive season in 2003. She’s also giving the wrist tape and uneven bar grips she used in the 2012 Olympics, as well as her mother’s ticket to the games, personal photos and her Olympic credentials.

The items go on display Friday at the National Museum of American History. The black history museum is slated to open in 2015.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.

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