Black Excellence in Gymnastics: Wendy Hilliard and Alexis Page
One of the first well known US competitors in rhythmic gymnastics, white or black, Wendy Hilliard represented the US at the 1979, 1981 and 1983 World Championships. Since her retirement in 1988, she has commentated for the 1992 NBC Olympic coverage, coached a gymnast (Aliane Baquerot) to the Olympics, and participated in the US bid for the 2012 Olympic Games.
Since 1996, the Wendy Hilliard Foundation has sponsored free gymnastics classes for disadvantaged children in New York City. One of the students sponsored by the foundation, Alexis Page (below), became the 2010 Junior National Champion in the hoop and medaled in the all-around, rope and clubs events.