Tragic Details About Aly Raisman

The following article includes mentions of mental health struggles and sexual abuse.

Aly Raisman is a two-time U.S. Olympic gymnast with six medals to her name. Three of her medals are gold, including two in the team event and one individual gold medal for the floor exercise event (via Team USA). Having begun competing at a senior level in 2010, according to NBC Sports, she is a rare example of a gymnast who not only chose to compete in two Olympic games, but who is also a leader among her fellow gymnasts, having served as captain of the women's Olympic team for both the 2012 Summer Games in London, England and the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

But Raisman is known as a trailblazer in gymnastics both in the gym and behind the scenes for another important reason — which we will detail below, as she has sadly devoted much of her adult life so far to a sport whose national association has allegedly enabled people to cause her trauma. That's why in her January 2020 retirement announcement on Instagram, Raisman said that her passion for gymnastics led her to work toward changing its culture: "... It is this love that now inspires me to do everything I can to make [U.S. gymnastics] safer for the many wonderful people in the sport and all the little 8-year-olds out there who will be watching the gymnasts in Tokyo, dreaming of one day making it to the Olympics themselves."

Let's look at the tragic details about Aly Raisman's life, many of which inspired her new purpose.

Larry Nassar was sentenced to 40-175 years in prison for criminal sexual conduct on January 24, 2018. At the sentencing hearing, Judge Rosemarie Aquilina allowed any of the 100+ athletes who had accused Nassar of abuse over the years to address him and the court, if they desired. Aly Raisman elected to speak, but she struggled with the decision — noting that it was only watching the testimony of fellow "brave survivors" (via Time) that made her realize she needed to address Nassar, too.

"Larry, you do realize now that we, this group of women you so heartlessly abused over such a long period of time, are now a force and you are nothing," Raisman's powerful remarks began. Calling Nassar a "monster" who took advantage of everyone's trust, she said, "I am also here to tell you to your face, Larry, that you have not taken gymnastics away from me." A large portion of her statement admonished the USA Gymnastics organization and the U.S. Olympic committee for allegedly enabling Nassar's abuse for years after women came forward with allegations. She asked for change within a sport that was "rotting from the inside" and requested that Nassar be punished to the fullest extent of the law.

Raisman's statement was comprehensive and strong, but she later told "Today" that she "blocked out everything" and treated testifying as if it were a competitive meet in order to get through it. Afterward, Raisman admitted, "I was sick, I almost passed out. I had the worst headache for hours."

If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN's National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).

Former U.S. Olympic gymnastics coach John Geddert, who advised the 2012 London team and was suspended by USA Gymnastics in 2018, died by suicide in February 2021 (via CNN). His arraignment on several charges for crimes allegedly committed between 2008 and 2016 was imminent. "It is alleged that ... Geddert used force, fraud, and coercion against the young athletes ... for financial benefit to him," Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel stated. "The victims suffer from disordered eating including bulimia and anorexia, suicide attempts and self-harm, excessive physical conditioning, repeatedly being forced to perform even when injured, extreme emotional abuse and physical abuse including sexual assault."

It's unknown if Aly Raisman is a direct victim of Geddert's, as he wasn't her personal coach, but his death is partly why she keeps fighting for an independent investigation into USA Gymnastics and the U.S. Olympic committee. "I was obviously really triggered," Raisman told CNN's "New Day." Noting that Larry Nassar "worked at" pal Geddart's former famed gym, Twistars Gymnastics Club, she claimed that many powerful men within the U.S. Gymnastics were enabling each other: "Monsters don't thrive for decades without the help of people. And we need to understand what happened, how this happened ... We really need a fully independent investigation ... And there has not been one." 

While USA gymnastics claimed they have been cooperative with six independent investigations, Raisman alleged they were withholding information. "The scope of the investigation matters," she said. "... I don't know why USA Gymnastics is saying they're cooperating."

If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN's National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).

As previously mentioned, Aly Raisman is a two-time Olympic gymnast and a three-time gold medalist, who spent much of her life in the gym working toward making her dreams come true despite the allegedly dirty and unhealthy conditions provided by USA Gymnastics, per The Washington Post. Yet, even after having to deal with alleged scrutiny from officials in her sport, because she is a public figure, Raisman has also had to deal with body-shaming from strangers in public places, too.

Back in 2017, the former gymnast shared an incident that happened at an airport on Twitter. "...Man at TSA: 'I don't see any muscles' & continues 2 stare at me How rude & uncomfortable," Raisman shared, after explaining that a female TSA agent realized she was a gymnast because of her biceps. "I work very hard to be healthy & fit. The fact that a man thinks he judge my arms pisses me off I am so sick of this judgmental generation," Raisman continued. 

Raisman later shared with Shape that even Olympic gymnasts feel insecure sometimes: "Everyone struggles with some insecurity. I know sometimes people act like they don't, but I think it's really important to remember that everyone struggles with it no matter who you are." This is absolutely true — but most of us don't also have to deal with being triggered by strangers at the airport.