Gabby Douglas on win: "Such an amazing experience"

Gabby Douglas celebrates after she won the artistic gymnastics women's individual all-around final on Aug. 2, 2012, during London's Olympic Games.

/ Getty

(CBS/AP) Fresh off her big win on Thursday, gymnast Gabrielle Douglas took to Twitter to thank her followers for their support:

WOW such an AMAZING experience! Thank you all for your support, love and prayers love you all!!! #oncloud9 <3

— Gabrielle Douglas (@gabrielledoug) August 2, 2012

Earlier she had tweeted an update about her faith:

Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me.

— Gabrielle Douglas (@gabrielledoug) August 2, 2012

Douglas became the third straight American to win gymnastics' biggest prize when she won the all-around Olympic title on Thursday. She's also the first African-American to take home the title, finishing with a score of 62.232, about three-tenths ahead of Viktoria Komova of Russia.

It's her second gold medal of the London Games, coming two nights after she and her "Fierce Five" teammates gave the United States its first Olympic team title since 1996.

Complete Coverage: 2012 London Olympics

When Douglas, 16, stood atop the medals podium on Thursday night, she wore a smile bright enough to outshine that pretty gold medal around her neck.

"It feels amazing to be the Olympic champion," Douglas said.

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Gold medal winner Gabby Douglas

But when Douglas first arrived at the 2012 London Games, there was something off. Her coach, Liang Chow, could tell that the gymnast was physically hurting. Team coordinator Martha Karolyi thought Douglas' focus was lacking. Karolyi knew something had to change.

"Chow and I had a big meeting and we had to address it," Karolyi said. "She turned it around and we worked and worked and made it better. ... There are key moments when you have to do something. That was a key moment."

What did Chow tell Douglas to turn her around? "Chow told me 'Everyone has pain so just go out there and why are you focused on that? You are at the Olympics so put that behind you and if you don't push it now then you don't have a chance," Douglas said.

She added, "So we had this little bit of a talk and it definitely hyped me up."

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London Olympics: Aug. 3, 2012

[Smilestoo]

Love all of the men and women that work so hard at being the best. I love Gabby's smile. She is happy, and I am happy for her.

[lisawoolery]

Why nobody mention her coach? He derserves some credits. She was not nearly good before she switched coach. If she is still in Virginia, it would be a different story.

[mari1963]

Where is Gaby Douglas's father?

[7thAngelMastering]

in Afghanistan serving his 3rd tour of duty. They keep in constant contact via Skype and he surprised her at the trials which boosted her spirits.

[mari1963]

Where is Gaby Douglas's father?

[Smilestoo]

He is in Afghanistan serving his country.

[fredisalive]

congratulations girl!

[TellFell]

Enough already with this "First African-American" to do this, to do that. Gabrielle Douglas was born in the United States, as were her parents and grandparents. She is the "First Black American" Olympics all-around gold medalist. We don't refer to, or read: "Michael Phelps, the most decorated Scottish-American Olympian with 10 life-time Gold medals.

[AnnieDanny]

I loved watching the gymnasts this year! What great team spirit among those five girls: I was really proud of the team leader, Aly, who was such an encourager. And Gabby was inspiring too, I admire her faith. This was a team to be proud of. All five girls were very special.

[taylorsucram]

"You just have to not be afraid and go out there and just dominate. You have to go out there and be a beast. Because if you don't, you're not going to be on the top." ~~ Gabby Douglas

This little girl learned the hardest lesson in life EARLY!