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![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/simone-aly-and-laurie-1.jpg?width=600)
While Simone Biles has garnered love and respect for her incredible performances, her parallels are no less. When Biles surfaced as a gymnast of great caliber, the name of Aly Raisman also shined bright like a diamond. The two gems became acquainted in their history-making event at the 2016 Rio Olympics. But even now, they either meet in person or through social media shoutouts.
The year 2023 has been nothing short of magical for the US women’s gymnasts. We’ve become familiar with several Olympic aspirants like Shilese Jones, Jordan Chiles, and Leanne Wong, to name a few. But there’s always a special place for the OGs who sparked thunderous cheers during their Olympic displays. Recently, a bunch of ‘Cal W gym’ uniquely reunified them.
Simone Biles and Aly Raisman join others in a legendary way
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Brandis Heffner, the NCAA Gym-related content creator, posted a clip where the Cal Women’s Gymnastics women line up for a candid conversation. The post captioned as “Just a few of the names @CalWGym competitors carved onto their gymnastics Mount Rushmore!”, was paired with the fun session where the girls pick their Mount Rushmore picks. Mt. Rushmore is a massive sculpture featuring the faces of US presidents George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, and Thomas Jefferson. Situated in the Black Hills region of South Dakota, the 60-foot-tall heads have their thrones at stake now.
Simone Biles, Nastia Liukin, Aly Raisman…
Just a few of the names @CalWGym competitors carved onto their gymnastics Mount Rushmore! 🤸
Who’s on yours?? #NCAAgym pic.twitter.com/KmKwohHxpb
— Brandis Heffner (@brandisheffner) January 18, 2024
The first girl, Mya Lauzon, chose Biles, Raisman, Hernandez, and all off Cal W gym. The next girl, Jayden Silvers, took her pick saying, “Nastia Liukin, Shawn Johnson, Aly Raisman, and Simone Biles”. While the Fierce Five women were common, the 2008 all-around Olympic champion received a trumpet as well. Even Shawn Johnson, the 2008 Olympic beam gold medalist, has carved her name in people’s hearts. But coming to the women whose fellowship went beyond gymnastics, Biles and Raisman are going strong still.
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Raisman is still ‘in awe’ of Biles
Recently recruited as a broadcast analyst for ESPN, Aly Raisman opened up to People.com about her new job and, of course, Biles. “It’s so exciting to watch Simone. I’m so impressed and so proud of her. It’s just really, truly amazing. I’m really in awe that she is still competing,” said the 29-year-old.
READ MORE: Simone Biles’ Ex-Roommate Opens Up on Cycle of Abuse at USA Gymnastics: “Tired and Hungry”
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The 3x “AP Female Athlete of the Year” was part of the gold-winning team at the Rio Olympics alongside Raisman. Starting then, their friendship has just gotten better with each passing year. “I just really admire and am impressed with how she just does such a good job of having balance in her life”, voiced the 2x Olympian who attended Simone Biles’ wedding ceremony last year. In a world full of uncertainty, their friendship stood the test of time.
Watch this story: “YOU SLOW”: SIMONE BILES’ JONATHAN OWENS CALL OUT HELPED HIM GET OVER “PARALYSIS BY ANALYSIS