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
