Aly Raisman: More than an Olympic Champion

Aly Raisman: More than an Olympic Champion

Oct 15, 2013 by Anne Phillips
Aly Raisman: More than an Olympic Champion


We all know Aly Raisman the Olympic Gold Medalist, but do you know Aly Raisman the philanthropist? After achieving her dreams in London, Raisman took a full year off of gymnastics to pursue opportunities around the World. Now, Raisman has officially resumed training at Brestyan's American Gymnastics Club, but she is still making time to give back. 

This weekend, Raisman will host a very special Charity event, Winning Together, Meeting the Challenges of Lung Cancer Gala. The event is in honor of her grandmother, Nancy Raisman, and aims to raise funds for lung cancer research to ultimately find a cure. 

In addition to speaking at the event, Raisman has been involved behind the scenes. The star gymnast used her connections and relationships to round up a very impressive list of auction and raffle items. 

One of these items is the "Olympic Champion Leotard Collection" which any gymnastics fan would love to have! "The leotards are from the Fierce Five, Nastia [Liukin], Carly Patterson, and Mary Lou [Retton]," Raisman reveals. "I looked up to all of these girls."  

               

She says the one from Patterson is particularly special to her because, "I remember watching Carly in 2004 like it was yesterday! I watched her compete in my room with my mom and was so inspired. The night Carly won the All Around was the first time my mom realized I dreamed of going to the Olympics!"

Additional gymnastics items include an autographed Fierce Five poster, the "Aly Raisman gymnastics experience", a week at International Gymnastics Camp, and a framed Fierce Five Sports Illustrated cover signed by each of the girls.  

Raisman didn't stop there. She even got her fellow Dancing with the Stars contestants involved. The auction items include a Kellie Pickler concert meet and greet, and an autographed Jacoby Jones jersey.

"The support we have received has been amazing so far," Raisman told us, and she has high hopes for the event. On a personal level, she shared, "I am really looking forward to the event this Saturday because Angie Miller from American Idol is performing so I'm so excited! I am a huge fan of her! She is so sweet and were both from Boston!" 

The event will take place this Saturday, October 19 at Pine Brook Country Club in Weston, Mass. at 7:30pm. For more information on the event, or to purchase tickets, visit the event website. To view the full list of auction items and bid online for your chance to win one of the items, click here. Hurry, the online preview and pre-event bidding period will be open through Thursday, October 17.

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