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New Olympic gold medalist Gabrielle Douglas has become an overnight sensation after winning gold at the 2012 Olympics in London.  Photos from her competitions showcase her mother, Natalie Hawkins and siblings in the crowd along with Missy Parton who helped raise her the past two years..

Clearly missing from the picture is Gabrielle’s father. Who is he and where is her everyone wants to know.  Several reports stated that her father was in the army and serving time overseas.  

Gabby spoke out about her father at length following her first place finish in the women’s all-around competition. She said that her father, Staff Sergeant Timothy Douglas, who served for the Air National Guard in Afghanistan, abandoned her and her three older siblings years ago and rarely paid child support. The family was so down about finances that Gabby often thought about giving up her Olympic dreams. 

‘It was really hard for us growing up – my dad had left us, so he wasn’t really in the picture anymore,’ she told the New York Post.

‘So my mom had to front all these bills. My dad didn’t really pay the child support. He was short [on money]. It was definitely hard on her part and she had to take care of me and the rest of my siblings.’

Gabby’s mother filed for separation in 2007.  Her father came back around in June when Gabby was trying out for the Olympic team.  When he appeared at the U.S. Olympic trials in June, brandishing an American flag with words of support, she had not seen him for two years.  That was the  first time in his life, he saw his daughter perform.  Gabby said she looked up and saw her father cheering for her and it made her night.

Watching her perform, he held up the American flag with the words: ‘I love America. God bless our Troops. Go Team USA. Go Gabby Douglas. Love, Dad.’

Mr. Douglas flew over to London for the games, however was unable to see Gabby compete because she refused to get him any tickets to her events. 

In March of 2012 the Virginia Beach Police Department arrested  Mr Douglas’ on a charge of “contributing to deliquincy of a minor”. The records in the case are sealed because it involves a minor. Allegedly,  Mr. Douglas may have been involved in a relationship with a teenage girl.

Now that Gabby is a millionaire several times over, her father knows he messed up big time.   He wants back in.

He old the AP he always knew Gabby  was a  special girl.. (LMAO)

We knew [gymnastics] was in her heart because one day she came home from the gym and she had a 102-degree temperature,’ Mr Douglas recalled.

‘She went to bed, slept it off and woke up and got back in the gym the next day. That’s when we knew she had a winner’s attitude, a winner’s spirit.’

‘We knew she had that type of zeal, we knew she had that type of strength. We have a special young lady there, and I’m so proud of her.’

I don’t think Gabby will be cutting her father a check…

Upon returning from London he told the National Enquirer

‘I feel like I’ve been the best father that I can be to my daughter and to my family,’ ’I am so proud of my daughter and everything she has accomplished. So much has happened over the past few weeks that I need to just slow down and take a breath! Words can’t describe all the love and happiness I have in my heart for her right now.’

When pressed about his child neglect arrest, he took the high road.

‘I’m trying to keep things positive right now, because there have been a lot of things said about me.’ His brother Lawrence rushed to his defense. ’My brother has really been taking a lot of heat lately and most of it hasn’t been deserved,’ he said. ’Timothy is striving to be a better father and a better person.’

Mr. Douglas may have love and happiness in his heart for his daughter along with the rest of the world. But he had a chance to love her first before she became a star.. He blew it. Now she has President Obama on her line wishing her the best.. 

Gold medals are just made out of your sweat, blood and tears and your effort in the gym everyday. Sacrifices are not made in vain. They will pay off. – Gabrielle Douglas

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