"It’s so overwhelming and scary"- Aly Raisman recalls her 'nervous' experience of competing at Olympic Games as she takes new role at Paris Olympics

Aly Raisman is among the most decorated American gymnasts with six Olympic medals including three golds in two appearances. However, the retired gymnast has termed the experience of competing at the quadrennial event a scary experience.

Raisman made her senior debut at the 2010 American Cup and soon rose through the ranks to make the team for the 2012 London Olympics. She won the gold medal in the floor exercise and was part of the gold-winning Team USA. She also won a bronze medal in the balance beam competition.

Although she didn't enjoy similar success at the following world championships, the 30-year-old rose back to form when it mattered most and qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympics. Raisman won a gold medal in the team competition and two silver medals in the floor exercise and all-around competitions behind Simone Biles.

Aly Raisman announced her retirement in 2020 but is now back in gymnastics, albeit in a different role. She will be in a broadcasting role at the Paris Olympics 2024. Ahead of the Games, Raisman recalled her experience of competing in the quadrennial event, claiming she found it "overwhelming and scary."

“Of course, they (USA Gymnastics Team) want to celebrate and have fun – and they should celebrate and take in this moment – but the irony is, at least for me, I didn’t want to take in the moment too much because I wanted to distract myself a little bit. The idea of competing at the Olympics can be so – it’s so exciting – but it’s also so overwhelming and so scary,” she told Olympics.com in an interview.

The three-time Olympic champion also shared advice for the USA Gymnastics team on how to control their nerves in Paris.

"When I was so nervous at those points at the Olympics, I kind of relied on autopilot and just kind of trusted my training,” she added.

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Aly Raisman enjoying her new role as part of women's collegiate coverage with ESPN

Aly Raisman made her commentating debut during 2024 NCAA Championships (Image via Getty)

Aly Raisman made her commentating debut earlier this year during the NCAA women's gymnastics championships finals. Although she had assumed the role wouldn't be a good fit for her, the 30-year-old found it to be a great experience.

"I think what honestly surprised me the most about broadcasting was how much I liked it. I’m an overthinker, and I thought, because of that, maybe it wouldn’t be a good fit for me," she said.

Aly Raisman is now heading to the Paris Olympics 2024 to cover the women's gymnastics events, and she hopes to bring an ‘inside scoop of what goes into it’. The women's gymnastics event starts on 28 July with the qualification rounds taking place first.