Aly Raisman
born 1994

Needham; Burlington
Aly Raisman grew up in Needham and trained in gymnastics in Massachusetts. She became captain of the United States women's Olympic gymnastics teams in 2012 and 2016. Across those Games, she earned six medals, including team gold medals and an individual gold medal on floor exercise. Her routines combined power, balance, practice, and attention to small details. Raisman later spoke publicly about athlete safety and the need for adults and institutions to protect young people. Her story includes both athletic achievement and questions about the responsibilities that come with coaching and leadership.
You can use your device’s reading tools or read with a partner.
Find a detail. Build an idea.
- What did this person or group do? Point to a detail in the reading.
- How can sport reveal questions about teamwork and equal opportunity?
- What would you like to find out next? Which kind of source could help?
“Aly Raisman mattered because ___. A detail that supports my idea is ___.”
Grades 6–8: dig deeper
What responsibilities do coaches and sports organizations have beyond helping athletes win competitions?
Follow the evidence.
This short reading is an original classroom summary. Open the source with your teacher to check details and learn more.
Read the source: espnpressroom.com ↗Ask: Who made this source? What can it tell us? What might it leave out?