MIAA Reinstates Boys' Gymnastics, Aly Raisman Helps

With a little help from Aly Raisman, boys' gymnastics is back.

Boston.com reports that the board of directors for the MIAA voted Thursday to reinstate the sport--a reversal from its decision to remove the sport last winter due to low participation rates. The decision was pushed by advocates, including Olympians Peter Korman and Aly Raisman.

After Needham's Olymic Gold Medalist heard about the MIAA's decision to remove boys' gymnastics from program in January, the she jumped into the controversy.

Her take, which she took to Twitter to express, was 

There is absolutely no such thing as a "girl sport" #ridiculous

Seven high schools in Massachusetts offer active boys' gymnastics programs: Newton North, Newton South, Burlington, Andover, Attleboro, Braintree, and Lowell. 

According to a report on Braintree Patch on the initial decision, the National Federation of State High School Associations declined to write new rules for boys' gymnastics, citing a lack of participation by enough states. This was a factor in the MIAA's original 10-3 vote, which was overturned Thursday. 

One could say Raisman knows something about gymnastics. She picked up a gold medal in the sport and was, the team captain for the London 2012 Olympic team. She was given a welcome home worthy of an Olympian afterward, complete with parade and an Aly Rally. 

She was also a contestant this season on , and has been . 

Other recent honors for the local Olympian include dropping the puck before a Bruins game, the AHRC NYC's Thurman Munson Dinner, being named . Not to mention the MBTA's Aly Raisman Banner on the Needham line.

This story was originally reported on Attleboro Patch.