Massachusetts Town Holds Rally to Honor Olympian Aly Raisman

This is the second parade in honor of Raisman

Gymnast Aly Raisman received a hero's welcome on Saturday following her medal-winning performances at the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

The 22-year-old's suburban Boston hometown of Needham, Massachusetts, hosted a "Rally for Aly" on the town's common.

Raisman showed up on a fire truck with her gold medal around her neck while hundreds of fans cheered her on.

“She should really know how much we care about her and how amazing she is,” said Sophie Farrar, of Millis.

Much of the crowd were young gymnasts who aspire to be like the Olympian.

“I think it’s really cool she went to the Olympics and she’s right from here, so close to home,” said Jessica MacDonald, of Hudson.

Raisman won two individual silver medals and a team gold medal in the games that wrapped up earlier this month.

She has the second most Olympic medals by a U.S. gymnast, with six. Former Olympian Shannon Miller has seven.

While speaking at the rally, Raisman said she doesn’t know what’s next after taking some well-deserved time off.

“You know my coach said that maybe I’ll be even better in 2020 so we’ll see,” Raisman said.

The town also hosted a parade and rally for Raisman when she returned from the 2012 Olympic games in London with two gold medals and a bronze medal.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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