Aly Raisman, retired American gymnast and two-time Olympic gold medalist, is opening up about the profound effects of her past s*xual abuse by her former sports doctor, Dr. Larry Nassar. In a recent candid interview, Raisman shared the severe physical and emotional toll the trauma has taken on her life.
Raisman, 30, first rose to fame for her stellar performances at the 2012 London Olympics and the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. She led the U.S. women’s gymnastics team to victory in the team competition and earned individual medals in floor exercise and balance beam. Despite her retirement from gymnastics, Raisman has remained in the public eye as a vocal advocate against s*xual abuse in sports, drawing from her personal experiences to raise awareness and push for change.
The stress and trauma from her abuse have led to multiple hospitalizations and debilitating symptoms. “It’s happened twice where it’s been this intense,” Raisman revealed on a recent episode of the “Call Her Daddy” podcast, according to Us Weekly. “I feel like I have different minor issues as well, depending on what I’m going through at the time — where, like, I have literally stroke-like symptoms.”
Raisman recounted the alarming episodes, saying, “I can’t remember my name. I’m slurring my words. I can barely speak. Both times I was tested for a stroke because, like, I literally couldn’t move my body.” These episodes underscore the severe impact of the trauma she endured at the hands of Nassar, who was convicted of s*xual abuse and is now serving a lengthy prison sentence.
While her competitive days are behind her, Raisman’s commitment to advocacy continues to shape her life. She has become a leading voice in the fight against s*xual abuse, using her platform to support survivors and demand accountability within the sports community.
Raisman’s revelations highlight the long-lasting effects of abuse and the importance of mental health and support for survivors. Her courage in speaking out serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience and strength required to confront such painful experiences and continue advocating for change.
As Raisman continues to share her story, she hopes to inspire others to seek help and speak out against abuse. Her journey from Olympic champion to advocate demonstrates her unwavering dedication to creating a safer environment for future generations of athletes.