Lee Dockins of Russellville is the only Logan County athlete to have been selected to join Team USA gymnastics in China next year at the Special Olympics World Summer Games.

Lee is the daughter of Harris and Sharon Dockins and is a 2006 graduate of Logan County High School. She has been involved in gymnastics since age six and says she hopes to continue for years to come.

Lee was influenced in gymnastics by Karen Milliken and Margaret Crawford, both previous teachers at Auburn Elementary where Lee attended. Lee said both teachers really helped her in the beginning and have continued their support along the way.

Other important people in Lee's life and gymnastic history are Donnie and Polly Porter of Logan County Gymnastics where Lee has been training for years. She says the husband and wife team have been a huge influence in her life and she cannot thank them enough for all they have done for her.

This is the second time the Special Olympic World Summer Games have been held outside of the United States. In addition to some 7,000 athletes, Special Olympics expects the 2007 Summer Games to draw 40,000 volunteers, 3,500 event officials and thousands of families, volunteers, spectators and journalists from every continent.

Jenn Siebold, Russellville Parks and Recreation assistant director, was selected as assistant coach on the girls basketball Team USA and anticipates going to China as well.

Lee has experienced a fruitful career in gymnastics thus far. She has attended many state competitions and competed in the Nationals in Ames, Iowa in July of this year. Lee won four gold medals and one silver at this year's state competition in Richmond, Va. and took the top spot in all four categories in her level in the Nationals. Lee was even selected among 11 athletes to perform her routine the day before the closing ceremonies at the Nationals.

Lee has won 29 gold medals, 13 silvers and three bronze in her career.

Lee competes in four different events- beam, bars, floor and vault. She said the beams are her favorite She says she is very honored to be a part of Team USA and can't wait to go to China. She is looking forward to the food there and all the new people she is going to be meeting.

Since graduation Lee has been working at Logan County High School. She is helping in the special education department and finds it very rewarding.

Lee's family is very proud of her and is also excited about the opportunity to go to China. “This is very exciting,” said Lee's father Harris. who said his daughter is a “wonderful athlete and wonderful girl.”