Aly Raisman erased all the heartbreak Thursday night, and the tears of joy flowed.
Raisman, a 22-year-old from Needham, Mass., was denied an Olympic bronze medal in the women’s gymnastics all-around in 2012 when she lost a tiebreaker to Russia’s Aliya Mustafina. Four years of hard work and determination later, Raisman entered the floor exercise in Rio with a medal in her sights and Mustafina again in her way.
Raisman made the most of her moment, nailing a near-flawless floor routine. And she knew it, crying almost the second her feet hit the mat to end her routine.
That floor routine made us all cry.
Exhale Aly Raisman​. You did what you needed to do. https://t.co/8UlQsUiW6F https://t.co/wOseQnxiVt
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 12, 2016
USA teammate Simone Biles claimed gold and the title of the world’s best gymnast, but Raisman’s redemption in winning silver is one of these Olympics’ biggest feel-good stories.
Just ask Raisman herself.
REDEMPTION BABY. That is all. Good night 😘 pic.twitter.com/ZWZOZZKS1H
— Alexandra Raisman (@Aly_Raisman) August 12, 2016
Big Papi also chimed in after his pal’s Olympic dream was realized.
Congrats to my good friend @Aly_Raisman on the silver medal…makin Boston proud as usual!! 🇺🇸 #BostonStrong
— David Ortiz (@davidortiz) August 11, 2016
Thumnbail photo via Robert Deutsch/USA TODAY Sports Images
