By Fatima Husain
At just 18 months of age, Brittnee Habbib took her first steps in gymnastics and never looked back. She was a member of the Canadian National Gymnastics Team for FIVE years –the only Black girl on the team.
At the time, she found it very difficult to embrace herself. She travelled internationally and represented Canada in large competitions such as the Commonwealth Games in Australia, the Pan Am Games in Brazil and The World championships in Denmark. In 2004, top 10 athletes were allowed to try out for the Olympics. This was Brittnee’s first year being on a senior National level. And that year, she was placed top 10 in the country. She tied for 10 and denied her place to try out for the Olympics. Brittnee also had to work with a coach who didn’t have her back.
In this episode, Brittnee speaks of her struggles being a Black gymnast, who didn’t have a voice and was always “told what to do”. Today, Brittnee coaches competitive gymnastics and is an active dancer. Interviewee: Brittnee Habbib Produced by: Fatima Husain "Real Human Interest Stories ranging from the ordinary to the truly extraordinary." Impact is a production of VX3 Exchange. |
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