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.
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.
Big Papi also chimed in after his pal’s Olympic dream was realized.
Thumnbail photo via Robert Deutsch/USA TODAY Sports Images
