Aly Raisman
Two-time Olympian and captain of two U.S. gold-winning teams.
Alexandra Rose Raisman, born on May 25, 1994, is a retired American artistic gymnast who competed in two Olympic Games. She was the captain of the U.S. women's teams that won gold in both 2012 (the "Fierce Five") and 2016 (the "Final Five"). With six Olympic medals, she ranks third among American gymnasts in total Olympic medals, behind only Shannon Miller and Simone Biles, who are tied for the most.
At the 2012 London Olympics, Raisman earned gold medals in the team and floor exercise events, plus a bronze on the balance beam—making her the most decorated U.S. gymnast at those Games. Four years later in Rio, she added another team gold, becoming one of only two Americans (along with Gabby Douglas) to win back-to-back team golds. She also took silver in the individual all-around and on floor exercise.
Raisman also contributed to gold-medal U.S. teams at the 2011 and 2015 World Championships, and won a bronze on floor at the 2011 Worlds. Domestically, she is a two-time national champion on floor (2012, 2015), the 2012 national champion on balance beam, and a five-time all-around medalist at nationals (silver in 2016, bronze in 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2015).
Born in Needham, Massachusetts, to Lynn and Rick Raisman, she has three younger siblings: Brett, Chloe, and Madison. She is Jewish with Romanian heritage, and in 2016 said she takes great pride in representing both the U.S. and the Jewish community. She started gymnastics at 18 months old, inspired by watching the 1996 "Magnificent Seven" on VHS. She trained at Exxcel Gymnastics and Climbing until age ten, then moved to Brestyan's American Gymnastics Club under coaches Mihai and Silvia Brestyan. She graduated from Needham High School in 2012 after finishing her senior year online while training for the Olympics.
Raisman began her elite career in 2009. That year, she placed tenth at the American Classic, twelfth at the U.S. Classic, and won bronze all-around at Nationals. At her international debut, the Pan American Championships in Brazil, she helped the U.S. win team gold, took third all-around, and won gold on vault and floor.
In 2010, her senior debut came at the American Cup, where she finished second. She won all-around gold at the City of Jesolo Trophy, helped the U.S. to team gold at the Pacific Rim Championships, and placed second all-around there.
- Born
- May 25, 1994
- Field
- Artistic gymnastics
- Nationality
- American
- Known for
- Captain of the 2012 and 2016 U.S. Olympic gold-winning women's gymnastics teams; first American woman to win Olympic gold on floor exercise
Lore & Background
Raisman began gymnastics at eighteen months old, inspired by the 1996 U.S. women's team. She trained at Exxcel Gymnastics until age ten, then moved to Brestyan's American Gymnastics Club. She graduated from Needham High School in 2012 via online classes while training for the Olympics. Raisman is Jewish and has said she takes pride in representing both the U.S. and the Jewish community.
At the 2012 London Olympics, Raisman won gold in the team and floor exercise, and bronze on balance beam. She became the first American woman to win Olympic gold on floor, performing to 'Hava Nagila'. At the 2016 Rio Olympics, she won team gold, silver in the individual all-around, and silver on floor. She and Gabby Douglas are the only Americans with back-to-back team gold medals.
Raisman was inducted into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 2015.
Reader's Guide
Aly Raisman's significance lies in her leadership and consistency across two Olympic cycles. As captain of the 'Fierce Five' and 'Final Five', she helped lead the U.S. to team gold in both 2012 and 2016, a feat matched only by Gabby Douglas. Her six Olympic medals place her third among American gymnasts, behind Shannon Miller and Simone Biles. Raisman's bronze on balance beam in 2012 was secured after a successful video review, and her floor gold made her the first American woman to win that event. Beyond medals, she represented the Jewish community on an international stage. Her legacy includes resilience, as she returned to competition after a 2012 injury and a year of conditioning, earning a spot on the 2015 national team and contributing to another Olympic team gold.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Aly Raisman?
Aly Raisman is a retired American artistic gymnast born on May 25, 1994, who competed at two Olympic Games. She is best known for leading the U.S. women's team to gold medals in both 2012 and 2016.
What Olympic medals did Aly Raisman win?
She collected six Olympic medals across her career, including team gold in 2012 and 2016, individual floor gold in 2012, and a balance beam bronze in 2012. That total places her third among all American gymnasts in Olympic medal count.
Which U.S. Olympic teams did Aly Raisman captain?
She served as team captain for both the 'Fierce Five' at the 2012 London Games and the 'Final Five' at the 2016 Rio Games. Both squads went on to win the team gold medal.
How does Aly Raisman's medal count compare to other American gymnasts?
With six Olympic medals, she ranks third in the all-time list for American gymnasts. Only Shannon Miller and Simone Biles, who are tied at the top, have more.
What makes Aly Raisman's 2012 floor exercise win historic?
Her gold on floor at the London Olympics made her the first American woman ever to win that event at the Games. She also took home team gold and a beam bronze that same year, becoming the most decorated U.S. gymnast at those Olympics.
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