They just can’t stay in their seats. Aly Raisman’s parents nearly stole the show during the U.S. gymnast’s uneven bars routine at the 2016 Rio Olympics. To say they were stressed is a major understatement.
Lynn and Rick Raisman could barely watch as their 22-year-old daughter competed in the preliminaries on Sunday, August 7 — but she nailed it and later qualified for the individual all-around competition.
The Raismans were the epitome of nervous sports parents. Lynn shielded her eyes and clutched her husband’s arm, and they both leaned totally in sync with Aly’s routine. The pair muttered words of encouragement and squirmed in their seats until the moment she stuck the landing, at which point they both leaped to their feet, sighed in relief and started exchanging high-fives with the rest of the family.
Aly’s parents made headlines back in 2012 at the London games for their fidgeting as they watching their daughter compete at her first Olympics. Four years later, their nerves haven’t subsided, and they’re still doing the same cringing and swaying.
Luckily, the Team USA women’s gymnastics captain doesn’t seem to be too embarrassed by her two biggest fans and even retweeted several of the memes of her parents on social media. She reposted a tweeter who wrote, “@Aly_Raisman’s parents watching her uneven bars routine is my favorite Olympic sport,” and a tweet by skier Gus Kenworthy that said, “Omg @Aly_Raisman’s mom watching her perform is so cute!!!”
Aly finished in second place behind her teammate Simone Biles. She just beat out Gabby Douglas, who finished third, to advance to the all-around final. While the U.S. women nabbed the top three spots, only two from each country can compete in the finals. Douglas, the 2012 Olympic champion, will not have the chance to defend her title.
