Legendary gymnastics champion Dianne Durham died on Thursday at the age of 52, according to family members who were by her side. 

Durham is one of the greatest gymnasts to ever come out of the United States and was the first Black woman to win USA Gymnastics national championship in 1983, according to The Associated Press. 

“As an icon and trailblazer in our sport, Dianne opened doors for generations of gymnasts who came after her, and her legacy carries on each day in gyms across the country. Our thoughts are with her friends and family during this difficult time,” said USA Gymnastics president Li Li Leung in a statement to The Associated Press.

Her husband said he was by her side when she passed. 

"Dianne Durham, the love of my life, passed away today. She stuck a triple full over the gates of heaven and was awarded with the biggest prize ever. She will be in heaven for eternity. I miss her, but know that she will be my guardian angel," Durham's husband, Tom Drahozal, said in a statement.  

"Her sister Alice and I were by her side when she passed away peacefully. I love you with all my heart Dianne and will honor your memory for the rest of my life," he added. 

Drahozal spoke to The Associated Press about Durham's life, touting her long legacy and decades of work in blazing a trail for Black gymnasts. 

“I think between her and Mary Lou Retton, they felt they introduced more of a power gymnastics. Dianne was a pioneer for Black gymnasts as well…She paved the way for others. The door was open by Dianne,” Drahozal said. 

Durham was a star gymnast and was slated to lead the 1984 Olympic team but injuries and the politics of the coaches of the team led to her being left off of the team after her national championship win. 

“Unfortunately, she didn’t get into the Olympics because of politics. I think she’d come to terms with it. She was doing professional shows (when we met in 1992). But she had told me, ‘It was what it was, I can’t go back and redo it again,’” Drahozal told The Associated Press, calling for the USA Gymnastics leadership to put her into the Hall of Fame. 

According to Gymnastics Now, Durham began her career at the age of 3, first beginning to train at a facility in Merrillville, Indiana, in 1971. 

Durham's skill was apparent from the beginning, and the coaches at the gym said she had to find better coaches to take her to the next level. She then moved to Texas to train with famed U.S. national team head coach Bela Karolyi.

She went on to win the U.S. junior all-around titles in 1981 and 1982 before moving up to the senior team. Durham went on to become the first American woman to successfully land a Tsuk full off vault, leading to her 1983 national vault title.

But injuries to her knee and ankle forced her to miss the 1983 World Championships in Hungary. U.S. officials then controversially left her off of the Olympic team because she missed the world championships, even though she petitioned to be placed on the team. 

Durham was robbed of being the first black Olympic gymnastics medalist ever, and it was only until 1992 that the feat was accomplished by Betty Okino and Dominique Dawes. 

Durham retired in 1985 and started an illustrious career as a USA Gymnastics national judge. She also founded Chicago's Skyline Gymnastics and gave motivational speeches.

Several online mourned Durham's passing.


Durham was born in Gary, Indiana, and is credited with helping popularize the sport in America along with gymnastics legend Mary Lou Retton, according to ESPN. The news outlet noted that Durham was the last gymnast to defeat Retton in the all-around competition. 

"I've had so many former gymnasts send me messages today. They said she was tough, a great coach who they loved and that she was a great role model for them. I think Dianne would want to be remembered for her personality, and also as a pioneer for minority gymnasts," Drahozal told ESPN.

"She was one of the greatest gymnasts of her era, but she also opened the door for the great Black gymnasts who came after her," he added. 

ESPN reported that Gary is planning to have a celebration of Durham later in the year. 

Dianne-DurhamGabby DouglasMary-Lou-RettonSimone BilesUSA-Gymnastics