For Aly Raisman, there’s no place like home.
The USA gymnast received a hero’s welcome Saturday in her hometown of Needham, Mass., following her succesful journey to the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Needham proclaimed Saturday “Aly Raisman Day” and held a rally on the town common to celebrate Raisman, who returned as the second-most decorated U.S. gymnast of all time.
Today is Aly Raisman day in Needham 😱😋🇺🇸 THANK YOU Needham
— Alexandra Raisman (@Aly_Raisman) August 27, 2016
As expected, thousands of supporters came out to welcome Raisman home.
Olympic champ & hometown hero @Aly_Raisman pulls up in a fire truck to today's Rally For Aly in Needham! @7News pic.twitter.com/qNEdYamuPi
— Chris Cantergiani (@CanOfSpaghetti) August 27, 2016
#rallyforaly pic.twitter.com/WkgFVM0FeA
— Town of Needham (@TownofNeedham) August 27, 2016
#rallyforaly pic.twitter.com/wEQTupi9oJ
— Town of Needham (@TownofNeedham) August 27, 2016
Needham is a great Town. #RallyForAly @Aly_Raisman @TownofNeedham pic.twitter.com/0Hh8Zzm5Qg
— kate fitzpatrick (@VeryKateTM) August 27, 2016
Raisman won two silver medals at the Rio Olympics in the women’s individual all-around and floor excercise and a gold in the team all-around. She also won two golds and a bronze at the London Games in 2012.
The aptly dubbed “Rally for Aly” is the latest stop on Raisman’s personal victory tour. She threw the ceremonial first pitch before the Boston Red Sox game against the Kansas City Royals on Friday at Fenway Park.
Raisman, 22, plans to take a break from gymnastics before deciding on her future in the sport.
One certainty is that she’s comfortable serving as a role model for future Olympians, just like previous ones did for her.
Closing thought from @Aly_Raisman: "To all the little girls, I hope one day I can watch you in the #olympics" pic.twitter.com/lKFwPnWVbe
— WCVB-TV Boston (@WCVB) August 27, 2016
Thumbnail photo via Robert Deutsch/USA TODAY Sports Images
