Olympic Gymnast Aly Raisman Makes Big ESPN Announcement

Three-time Olympic gold medalist Aly Raisman has a big announcement involving ESPN as she begins the "next chapter" in her life.

As you may know, Raisman was part of the 2012 and 2016 U.S. Women’s Gymnastics teams. She was the captain of the “Fierce Five” group alongside gymnasts Gabby Douglas, McKayla Maroney, Kyla Ross, and Jordyn Wieber. Together, the girls brought home the team gold medal.

Although her Olympic gymnastics career came to an end, she isn't giving up her love for the sport, as she has just made a huge announcement involving ESPN.

The Olympian has announced that she will be joining the sports network as an analyst on its NCAA gymnastics broadcasts, continuing her involvement with the sport that she knows and loves.

“I'm so excited,” Raisman told PEOPLE when making the big announcement. “If I'm being honest, I'm also very nervous because I want to do a good job.”

Although she admits that analyzing the sport is “very different than anything I've ever done” she is ready to start her "really cool new chapter" and take on the "big challenge.”

“I'm just really excited and appreciative for the opportunity to be able to stay involved in the sport,” she told the outlet.

As you may know, Raisman was among the girls who accused gymnastics team doctor Larry Nasaarof child sexual abuse. Maggie Nichols, another gymnast on Team USA, was the first one to come forward about the abuse in 2015, and the other girls came out shortly after. The case later went to trial, where Maggie was referred to as ‘Athlete A.’

Other victims include Rachael Denhollander, Simone Biles, Gabby Douglas, Sabrina Vega, Jordyn Wieber, Ashton Locklear, Amanda Jetter, Tasha Schwikert, Kyla Ross, Madison Kocian, among many others.

In 2017, Nassar pleaded guilty to federal child pornography charges and multiple state sexual abuse charges. "He has demonstrated that he should never again have access to children," U.S. District Judge Janet Neff said at the time.

To prepare for her upcoming broadcasting role, the Olympian has been watching old gymnastics meets and practicing commentating on the events as if they were happening now.

“I probably haven't watched this much since I was eight years old, and I was watching the 96 Olympics over and over again,” she expressed, “I feel like a little kid again."

Raisman will make her broadcasting debut on Friday, January 19, to commentate on LSU (ranked 8th) vs Kentucky (ranked 6th). “I'm just hoping that in the moment I won't be too nervous,” the 29-year-old said, adding, “I'm trying to imagine it as if I'm sitting in a living room with friends and people who don’t know anything about gymnastics, and I'm kind of just walking them through it and explaining how things go.”

“I just kind of want to be able to do my best to just enjoy it and also just be a fan for the night and have fun," she concluded.