Dianne Durham

Dianne Durham
Born(1968-06-17)June 17, 1968
Gary, Indiana, U.S.
DiedFebruary 4, 2021(2021-02-04) (aged 52)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
SpouseTom Drahozal
DisciplineWomen's artistic gymnastics
Former coach(es)
Wanda Tommasi
Richard Del Gallo
Tony Ladner
Bill Sands
Béla Károlyi
Márta Károlyi
Retired1985
Medal record
Competitions & Medals
Gold medal – first place 1981 Pennsylvania All-around
Gold medal – first place 1982 Pennsylvania Vault
Gold medal – first place 1982 Pennsylvania Uneven bars
Gold medal – first place 1983 Colorado All-around
Gold medal – first place 1983 Illinois All-around
Gold medal – first place 1983 Illinois Balance beam
Gold medal – first place 1983 Illinois Floor exercise
Gold medal – first place 1983 Illinois Vault
Silver medal – second place 1982 Pennsylvania All-around
Silver medal – second place 1983 Illinois Uneven bars
Silver medal – second place 1984 Illinois Vault
Bronze medal – third place 1984 New York All-around
Bronze medal – third place 1984 Illinois Uneven bars

Dianne Patrice Durham (June 17, 1968 – February 4, 2021) was an American artistic gymnast. In 1983, she won the all-around senior title at the women's US National Championships, becoming the first African American athlete to do so. She was Béla and Márta Károlyi's first elite athlete in the United States, helping establish their coaching credentials outside of the state-sponsored program of their native Romania, and trained with Mary Lou Retton, who called Durham her "best competition". After injuries and competition stipulations prevented her from competing in the 1984 Summer Olympics, Durham retired from competition in 1985. She later ran the Skyline Gymnastics school in Chicago.