Aly Raisman helps power U.S. women’s gymnastics team to Olympic gold

Aly Raisman helps power U.S. women’s gymnastics team to Olympic gold

Lynn and Rick Raisman watch their daughter Aly perform.
Lynn and Rick Raisman watch their daughter Aly perform.

Lynn and Rick Raisman can exhale.

The Jewish parents of Aly Raisman, the 22-year-old gymnastic star, have been notable for their decidedly non-WASPy emotional responses as they watched her compete.

As it turned out, Aly’s Olympic performance in Rio was notable as well. She was captain of the United States women’s gymnastics team, which won the Olympic gold medal.

The Americans finished with a total of 184.897 points, easily outdistancing silver medalist Russia, which had 176.688 points. China took the bronze.

It was the second consecutive Olympic team gold for Raisman and the United States, whose team members nicknamed themselves the “Final Five.” Rio will be the last Olympics to host five-member gymnastics teams. Starting in 2020 in Tokyo, each team will have four members. (Sportswriters for the Jewish press already are working on their four sons metaphors.)

Raisman, the veteran of the group, is nicknamed “Grandma” by teammates Simone Biles, Gabby Douglas, Laurie Hernandez, and Madison Kocian. This reportedly is due to her propensity to nap.

Raisman, of Needham, Massachusetts, won a gold medal in the 2012 London Olympics in the floor competition, performing a routine to “Hava Nagila.”

JTA Wire Service

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