Media Advisory: Olympic gymnast, advocate Aly Raisman to speak at DSS

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Team captain of two Olympic gold medal-winning U.S. Women’s gymnastics teams and positive body image advocate Aly Raisman will speak at the University at Buffalo at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 16, in the Center for the Arts, North Campus, as part of UB’s Distinguished Speakers Series.

Raisman, who led the nation’s women’s gymnastics teams in 2012 and 2016, is the third most decorated American gymnast of all time. The most decorated U.S. gymnast at the 2012 Games, Raisman captured the hearts of millions as she became the first American gymnast to win gold in the floor exercise. One of only three U.S. gymnasts to make back-to-back teams in more than 20 years, she helped guide the team to gold and landed a silver medal performance in the all-around competition at the 2016 Olympics.

A leader on and off the floor, Raisman uses her platform to help normalize the conversation around mental health, encourage positive body image and promote the importance of self-care. In her New York Times best-selling memoir, “Fierce,” she shares the highs and lows of her journey, including her survival of sexual abuse. Raisman continues to advocate for systematic changes within the sport of gymnastics and the eradication of sexual abuse.

During the program, audio and/or video photography, as well as still photography, will be limited to the first five minutes of his lecture.

Working media may reserve tickets by contacting Doug Sitler in the UB Office of Communications at drsitler@buffalo.edu no later than noon on Tuesday, Nov. 16. Reserved tickets may be picked up at the will call window at the Center for the Arts prior to the program. Media may need to show press credentials in order to be admitted to the program.

For ticket information, visit: http://www.buffalo.edu/ub-speakers/speakers/raisman.html.