Olympic gymnast "Gabby" Douglas, named Associated Press female athlete of the year. The 2012 London Olympic all-around title gold medalist was given the title by AP. 

"I didn't realize how much of an impact i made," said Douglas "My mom and everyone said, 'You really won't know the full impact until you're 30 or 40 years old." But it's starting to sink in."

"Athlete of the Year" award was first initiated by the Associated Press in 1931. The awards were voted on annually by a panel of AP sports editors from across the United States.

The 2012 award was given to Gabby Douglas for the female athlete and Michael Phelps, in swimming for the male athlete. The Gold Medal Gymnast became the fourth gymnast to win one of AP's annual awards.

The 16 year-old collected 48 out of 157 votes, beating out swimmer Missy Franklin, Serena Williams, Britney Griner and Lindsey Vonn.

"I want people to think, 'gabby can do it, I can do it," said Douglas adding, 'going through struggles or injuries, don't let it stop you from what you want to accomplish,' concluding "But I'm still the same Gabby."