A TEST OF CHARACTER TMZSports.com
Dominique Dawes says the drama surrounding Jordan Chiles' bronze medal is "unfortunate" ... but she tells TMZ Sports she's sure the saga will show off the gymnast's true championship mettle.
The Olympic legend, of course, knows a thing or two about what Chiles is experiencing ... as she was once part of a similar ordeal a couple decades ago.
You might recall ... at the 2000 Games in Sydney, she and USA gymnastics placed fourth in the team competition -- but some 10 years later, the Americans were named rightful winners of the bronze medal after officials declared Team China had an underage competitor.