Olympic gold medalist Aly Raisman of Needham, who is training to represent the United States as a member of the women’s gymnastics team at the 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro, told the Herald’s Owen Boss she is thrilled at the prospect of Boston hosting the 2024 Olympics and expects it will inspire a new crop of local athletes to aim high.
“I was running to get a quick drink at practice in Burlington when my Mom texted me and I was obviously really excited about it. I don’t think it has really sunk in yet, but obviously I hope that the Olympics are held here in Boston. ...
“When I was 8 years old my Mom used to play the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta over and over again. We loved watching the women’s gymnastics team win the team final. I was literally obsessed with it. So, it’s really cool for me to meet all the little girls who have been watching me and my teammates compete. And obviously if the games were held here in Boston, a ton of local kids and families would be able to watch the events live, which would be amazing and extremely inspiring. ...
“I love Boston, I think it is one of the greatest cities in the world. Everyone in Boston was so supportive of me when I was in the Olympics and it’s really a great sports city. ...
“I’m sure there are some really young kids out there who are already starting to think about 2024 and wondering if they’ll be able to compete at the Olympics here in Boston. ...
“It would be absolutely incredible to be involved in the Olympics if they were held here. They won’t be making their decision until 2017, so hopefully I’m able to compete at the 2016 Olympics and then I can be further involved with it in the years after.”
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