Community Corner

Live Blog: Aly Raisman Returns to Gym in Burlington

Olympic gold medalist Aly Raisman got a huge welcome home rally at the gym this morning at the gym in Burlington where she trained. Video of her visit coming shortly.

12:40 p.m.

Line for Aly Raisman's autograph (aka getting to meet her) is still wrapping around the building.

11:40 a.m.

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"Welcome home, we are happy to see you," Aly Raisman's coach Mihai Brestyan said at the Welcome Home rally at Brestyan’s American Gymnastics Club in Burlington. "I want to thank everyone who has come to see our gold medalist."

Brestyan then showed the medals to the crowd and addressed Raisman. "You have a lucky medallion to hold for the rest of your life. Welcome back," He said, adding: "Oh, and tomorrow morning you have practice." 

"Being back here feels amazing," said Raisman. "I missed the people here and it is great to be back." 

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"Last couple of days have been hectic but a lot of fun," she said. "I'm excited to be back here." 

And what about the next Olympics?

"2016 is in the back of my mind but I'm just taking it one day at a time," she said. "Crazy to be back at the gym, felt like I hadn't been here in a long time. It is cool to be home." 

Aly appeared humble, "Coming home with three gold medals doesn't change anything. Still going to work hard and try new things." "Great to see people here and be home." 

Raisman said the gymnastics tie-breaker was even mores stressful than competing, because you don't have control over it and you don't know how it is going to go.

What now for her?

"Just spending time with my friends and family. I live in Needham and will just do the normal things for now." 

 

11:21 a.m.

Olympian Aly Raisman has just arrived in a police escort to cheers from the crowd and Queen's "We are the Champions." As she arrived fans swarmed her vehicle to welcome her home.

11:16 a.m.

We can now hear the sirens from the police escort and Aly Raisman is arriving to large cheers from the crowd. 

Update 11 a.m.:

While the crowd awaits Aly Raisman, Corn & Co, the popcorn company that will be opening in the Burlington Mall this fall, is also getting into the Olympic spirit. They have created a special flavor in honor of Raisman and are handing out samples at the rally.

"We made an Aly's Medal Mix, a combination of cheddar gold and handcrafted caramel to represent her gold and bronze medals," Bobby Berlin, who is co-owner with his brother Steven Berlin. "Our mission is to re-imagine popcorn with special flavors, it's popcorn reborn.' (see photo of the Berlin brothers)

Update 10:30 a.m.

United States Olympic gymnast and gold medal-winner Aly Raisman is due to arrive at the Brestyan’s American Gymnastics Club in Burlington at roughly 11 a.m. and already a large crowd is here to welcome her home.

Raisman won two gold medals and a bronze medal for U.S. Women’s Olympics at the 2012 London Games. Raisman, 18, of Needham, returned to the United States on Monday, Aug. 13, announcing her arrival on her Twitter account, with the post: “HELLO AMERICA," as reported on .

People in Burlington are lining up to welcome her home and honor her amazing performance in the London Games.

Patch will update this story as the rally progresses so stay tuned and 'refresh' the page to get the latest news.

Original story:

Olympic gold medalist Aly Raisman, who returned to her Needham home on Wednesday following the London Olympics and a visit to New York, is expected to be in Burlington this morning to visit the gym where she trained.

The gymnast's visit will be live blogged on Needham Patch. Staff at Brestyan’s American Gymnastics Club, 13 Ray Ave., Burlington, said they expect Raisman, 18, to arrive between 11 and 11:30.

The rally, which will be emceed by Jack Ferren, will take place in the parking lot of the gymnastics club.

Needham town officials are also planning a celebration for Raisman at a later date.


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