Massachusetts’ Raisman Shines as US Gymnastics Wins Gold

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Thursday, August 02, 2012

Brittany Devane, GoLocal Olympic Contributor

Courtesy USOC/Long Photography

Aly Raisman won her first Olympic medal in the women’s team competition on Tuesday as the United States women’s team took home gold for the first time since 1996.

Raisman, the 18-year old team captain from Needham, took the floor in the team’s last performance of the day, knowing that a solid performance would secure the victory for her team over Russia. As she completed her final pass, Raisman’s emotions broke through and she was shedding tears as she landed.

The impressive score of 15.300 was more than enough for the team, made of up Raisman, Gabrielle Douglas, Jordyn Wieber, McKayla Maroney, and Kyla Ross. Now known as the “Fab Five,” the group of teens has won the hearts of America. After their win yesterday, the Internet lit up with support for the young women.

“THANK YOU all so much for your kind words! Still in shock!! So excited for tomorrow. Xo,” Raisman tweeted yesterday.

Raisman still has work to do while in London. Today she will compete in the individual competition and hopes to make Massachusetts proud.

The support she has received from her home state has been overwhelming. Raisman was featured on the most recent cover of The Improper Bostonian, and her home gym in Burlington held a viewing party for the team competition.

Her hometown of Needham has posted signs along the road, even putting decorations in the windows of some stores. “It’s really nice to see everybody excited and supporting her,” her mother Lynn said.

All eyes will be on Aly tonight as the individual competition begins.