Dominique Dawes Gets Her Medal 10 Years Later: Exactly What Happened?

Ten years ago, Dominique Dawes and the rest of the USA Gymnastics Team placed fourth overall.

However, a decade later, the Olympic committee has stripped China of its bronze medal because one of their members, Dong Fangxiao, was underage.

As a result, Dawes and her teammates will be receiving bronze medals 10 years after the fact.

So exactly what happened? Click ahead to find out.

Poster Girl

Women's gymnastics is unmistakably one of the biggest draws of the Olympics, and Dominique Dawes was the rising star for the United States who had been competing at a high level at a young age.

She was supposed to propel the U.S. to a medal, but was unable to do so at the time.

Young Veteran

Dawes may have only been 23 at the time, but she was a seasoned vet compared to most of the girls, especially after competing in 1996.

It's ironic that Dawes, one of the older girls competing, benefited from a girl being disqualified because she was too young.

Four Is a Charm

Although this particular bronze medal will have special significance to her, it is actually Dawes' fourth Olympic medal from that year.

She won three in individual competitions.

Justice Prevails?

Dawes was quoted as saying, "Justice prevails," as a result of finally getting her medal.

I'm sorry, but someone has to say, "Seriously?"

One member of the disqualified team was almost 10 years younger than you, and because she was just a year or so too young, you suddenly feel like the world owed you something all this time?

All Grown Up

Now 33 years old, Dawes is quite the beauty, but is she too old to carry a torch for that particular incident?

I'm happy for her and her teammates, but is there no pity for the China team? No humility?

I expect better from the U.S.