Go Gabby, im very proud of you. It not about your hair its about whats in your heart. Its God plans for what you inspired to do... Its alot of haters in the world.

I vote "other" because I thought the choices were too limiting. I saw ABSOLUTLY NOTHING wrong with how Gabby or her hair looked. She is a talented young lady and has been a great role model. She has also been a well spoken ambassador for the USA. Enough about the hair...she's the best in the world!

It's sports - if your concerned about fashion watch the Miss USA pageant - they are there for their athletic abilities, not for the next issue of W or GQ

I agree with Frederick George, nothing wrong with the hair and USA is so proud of you, Gabby!

If all there is to talk about is hair and uniforms then someone has too much time on their hands!

She looks like a nut! Very unbecoming.
But if that is what she wants to look like then good for her.
Jim@ccfiile.com

Who gives a crap about hairdos and uniforms. All we care about is the jewelry around their necks. Period. Anyone who tho is differently is a moron and doesn't have a clue what athletic competition is.

I never even noticed her hair one way or the other. As for the skimpy volleyball uniforms I think the women (or men) should be allowed to wear more modest attire. Its supposed to be sports not a Sports Illustrated swim suit edition.

Gabby is beautiful - you make USA proud !

She is an adorable young lady. The emphasis should be on her accomplishments. Shallow and superficial are the ones who would even comment on appearances. Shame on those.

Looks like a nut!! What? She looks just fine. She is not out there to worry about what some man or woman thinks of her hair. She simply pulled it back for her comfort. And THAT is what is important. She needs to perform at her absolute best and comfort is an issue for any athlete ~ I can almost see her politely giggling about what people think of her hair. She might have said.."I came here to perform the best gymnastics I could for myself and my country. I did not come here to put on a fashion show."

She won a gold medal, clearly, her hair was not a factor in her performance - so who cares? Go Gabby and Team USA!

seriously?

Are some here saying that she should wear braids because of the color of her skin? Why aren't we wondering why Aly didn't wear her hair in braids! This is a racist post to even appear here on the Patch and I am offended. I never have worn my hair in braids as an African American woman. Give the young woman her kudos. She worked hard toward a goal and was rewarded with a gold medal in the 2012 Olympics. Racism continues on in 2012...so close to home here in Hopkinton.

We are all different in our looks and if she had a head of wildly curly hair or was bald that"s not her competence. That, her skills and abilities she proved. WE just have to lose this image crap that have people measuring all the wrong things. MY REAL problem was listening to the NBC Primetime female announcer who was so negative and doubtful trying in every other sentence to highlight one statement by this little girls referring to feeling upset and ..."kicking a chair", Telling the world that this young girl was a fluke not as good as the rest by every other word she uttered. Conveniently omitting that in NY Gabby outscored her team mates etc. I swear this reporter was rooting for the Russian girls Just as Mary Cariolli used to do the William sisters. and that's sad.
Then came the darn stupid blk women on Twitter w/ the Hair thing, disgusting and reminding how occasionally pure ignorance pours from people who put no effort into accomplishing anything for themselves but are critics of those who do. In this case it only helps the naysayers and bigoted. Such folks should feel mighty proud of themselves.

Roxanne....Lighten up!
There are no racist here....
Jim@ccfiile.com

Jim, try walking in the shoes of a person of color and see how that feels. I do it every day, proudly. Have you ever been told that your child reins fast because of the extra bone that Blacks have in their legs or feet? This is just another piece of stupidity and I have every right not to "lighten up" when it comes to the racist statements that people make. I consider it giving people -all people- a much needed education. Step out of the shoes you walk in, Jim, and look at ALL of the people YOU are serving. Come and join me just one day and I will take you along to some welll known spots and show you how my shoes feel. Thankfully, I am strong, as is GOLD MEDALIST GABBY DOUGLAS.

The exchange between Jim and Roxanne is precisely why I'm clamping down hard on personal attacks in comments.

Name-calling weakens the person's argument. And it discourages others from commenting, for fear of being attacked.

Anyone who feels that a comment is out of line should not respond to it, and e-mail me instead. I will handle it.

I hope this is clear.

Grabbed this off USA today.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/london/story/2012-08-05/olympics-live-sunday-updates-london/56799770/1

GABBY ON HER HAIR (9:41 ET): "I don't know where this is coming from.Where is it coming from? What's wrong with my hair? I just simply gelled it back, put some clips it and put it in a bun. Are you kidding me? I just made history? And you're focusing on my hair? I just want to say we're all beautiful inside out. Nothing is going to change," she said. Her hair will remain the same in her next two competitions in bars and beams. (via USA TODAY Sports' Kelly Whiteside)

Why do we as people continue to waste valuable time and social resources on stupid, non-productive, trivial matters such as the "hairstyle" of a young, aspiring African American girl living out her Olympic dream?

This young lady's overall accomplishments since pursuing her Olympic dream far exceeds her sweating out her "natural" hair!

So to all of Gabby's haters out there, please take a moment to notice:

This young lady won two gold medals, and the (cash) prize money for every gold medal won in this years Olympics is worth $25,000, which mean's that Gabby has already earned at least $50,000 before taxes.

Add to that the new 5 year, $10 million dollars endorsement Gabby just signed with Kelloggs Corn Flakes, and there's NOT a hairstylist in the world this young lady can't afford!

If people (namely Gabby's haters) would focused more on the ignorance "INSIDE" of their own heads instead of what's on top of Gabby's head....this wouldn't even be a topic!

As a proud African American man, I salute this brave young lady immensely for helping to open doors of hope, and windows of opportunity for many other young, aspiring, African girls, NOT only in the United States, but throughout the entire world.

"Congratulations Gabby!

We are very proud of you!"

@ http://www.bmawufbp.blogspot.com

@Kira - I completely agree. Reporters sometimes ask dumb questions.
I started my career as a sports reporter/editor; and asking about a woman's hair and fashion while they are competing at the Olympics has nothing to do with how they performed as an athlete. Interesting, that no one discusses the male athletes.
Despite more women as sports reporters, sadly sometimes the questions asked of top female athletes are still sexist!

I think it started on Twitter, with women criticizing her hair. Which makes it even more pathetic. This young woman is a great role model for young girls. I'm happy for her and for us that a well-rounded, competitive, and confident athlete is being recognized. Her hair? Please.

Reminds me of the (in)famous question asked of Doug Williams of the Redksins during Super Bowl media day back in the late 80s:

"How long have you been a black quarterback?"

I know sometimes reporters are take out of their normal are of expertise to cover big events, but some of the questions are ridiculous.

I don't even want to post this, but I'm going against my better judgment and doing it anyway. Here's what I thought while watching the Olympic gymnasts:

"Wow, what a talented group of American girls".

I didn't think - wow, what a talented African-American girl, what a talented Jewish girl - I just thought "Wow, what a talented group of American girls".

Just had to vent that.

I am feeling inspired of her to be good spiritual and such activies . No matter Gabby 's style hair cuz she have good health hair and strong her health . she is very more calm herself to do before start . she did rise up pratctice such and help her to strong her mind . I want to congraulation her . she will be good future ! she have God 's gift . bless her . I am deaf and black women .