The current NCAA season has become the talk of the town beyond the gymnastics cognoscenti. While the on-mat showdown has been the source of heavy anticipation, the off-mat developments are no less exciting. Aly Raisman, once the captain of the U.S. women’s Olympic gymnastics team will become a familiar face in the NCAA fold. In her debut gig, Raisman’s voice will echo in the arena where LSU gymnastics legend Olivia Dunne will be performing.

Aly Raisman has accepted to return to gymnastics fold after four years of retirement from the mat. However, her comeback is in a different capacity as a gymnastics commentator for ESPN. After a note of support from Olivia Dunne, former Olympian Kathy Johnson Clarke also welcomed her promising career pivot.

Kathy Johnson Clarke issues a warm ESPN welcome to Aly Raisman

After captaining the US gymnastics team in the 1984 Olympics, Kathy Johnson Clarke jumped onto the ESPN bandwagon as a sports commentator. Interestingly, Aly Raisman is following the same trajectory with her first venture into television commentary.

The gymnastics legend joined former Olympian John Roethlisberger on Friday to provide her analysis of the Kentucky versus LSU tumble. Baton Rouge came alive with her electrifying voice and insightful commentary. Her inaugural performance in this new avatar earned the approbation of all, including Kathy Johnson Clarke.

She dedicated an X post to her new colleague, writing, “Bring it home, @Aly_Raisman! You’re doing a great job! Proud of you!”. The seal of approval coming from America’s first International gymnastics medal earner meant a great deal for Aly Raisman.

The two-time Olympian expressed her profound gratitude for this incredible opportunity, marking her debut in sports commentary just like the esteemed Kathy Johnson Clarke did more than a decade ago. She said, “I’m excited to be part of the ESPN gymnastics team and share my passion and love for the sport in a new way…It’s been so fun to watch these incredible athletes and see how much gymnastics continues to grow. I’m looking forward to this next chapter and the opportunity to try something different within the sport.” Her exultation in the ESPN fold came soon after her noble cause came to the forefront.

A voice of change

Aly Raisman utilizes her platform to execute a paradigm-shifting change in the gymnastics realm. Issues such as mental health problems, body shaming, and lack of self-care have goaded many rising gymnastics talents into a corner.

Raisman has attempted to erase all of these issues plaguing her peers with a best-selling memoir titled “Fierce”. It describes the Olympian’s personal struggles ranging from athletic low points to surviving abuse.

Read More: Former Olympian Aly Raisman Stands Up for the Environment in Latest Partnership

Kate Jackson, ESPN vice president of production, observed Aly Raisman’s value as a spokesperson for millions of other athletes. Beyond her microphone-bound duties, Aly Raisman has supported many ESPN initiatives over the years.

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