Aly Raisman — team captain of two gold medal-winning U.S. Olympic women’s gymnastics teams and a 2018 recipient of ESPN’s Arthur Ashe Courage Award on behalf of victims sexually abused by former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar — will speak Tuesday, April 2, at 7 p.m. in Bucknell University’s Sojka Pavilion. Raisman will discuss her Olympic gymnastics experiences and being a survivor of sexual abuse. The free event is sponsored by the Bucknell Student Lectureship Committee.
Raisman, 24, is the second-most decorated American gymnast of all time, with six Olympic medals. She was the captain of both the 2012 “Fierce Five” and the 2016 “Final Five” gold medal U.S. Olympic teams. At the 2012 Games, Raisman became the first American gymnast to win gold in the floor exercise. One of only two U.S. gymnasts to make back-to-back Olympic teams in more than 15 years, she earned a silver medal in the all-around competition at the 2016 Games. She also competed at the 2011 and 2015 World Championships, where she was a member of the gold medal-winning U.S. teams.
In her New York Times best-selling memoir, Fierce, Raisman shares the highs and lows of her journey, including her survival of sexual abuse. In 2017, she came forward with her story of sexual abuse by Nassar. She was one of the multiple victims to read statements at Nassar’s sentencing, and was awarded the Arthur Ashe Courage Award for her bravery and fortitude throughout the process.
With 2.2 million Instagram followers and a million Twitter followers, Raisman uses her social media platform to promote body positivity. Inspired by an army of survivors, Raisman also continues her advocacy for systematic changes within the sport of gymnastics and efforts to help to eradicate sexual abuse in youth sports.
“We are very excited for Aly Raisman to speak at Bucknell, and feel that the students will feel inspired by her story and learn through her experiences,” said Lauren Mastoloni ’19, a member of Bucknell’s Student Lectureship Committee.
Each semester, the committee hosts one speaker to address students, staff and community members. Past acclaimed speakers have included Josh Peck, Chelsea Handler and Jerry Greenfield.
Tickets are free and will be available for students, faculty and staff on Monday, April 1, beginning at 10 a.m. at the CAP Center and the Weis Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets will be available for the general public on Tuesday, April 2, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Sojka Pavilion box office.