Thousands welcome Raisman back at Burlington gym

BURLINGTON, Mass. (WHDH) -- Gold-medal winning gymnast Aly Raisman returned home to a giant reception at her Burlington gym on Thursday.

More than a thousand people waited outside of Brestyan’s gym hoping for a moment with the Needham native as she greeted every one of them.

“Being an inspiration means everything to me because I worked so hard for it and I used to be that little girl that looked up to other Olympians, so to be that for someone else means everything,” said Aly.

The most decorated gymnast from the London Olympics showed off her medals at the gym where she spent years working to win one. Aly dazzled young gymnasts who hope to one day follow in her footsteps.

“Unbelievable. I don’t even think it’s real,” said one girl.

“I can’t believe I’m working out at the same gym as her,” said another Raisman fan.

“Everyone wants to go to the Olympics and see it, but I get to see it at my own gym for free,” said a young gymnast.

It’s the line hundreds deep that’s wowing Aly and her family.

“Pulling in here, seeing all the kids, it’s crazy. It’s definitely not sunk in,” said Lynn Raisman, Aly’s mom.

“It’s a lot more than we expected, but it’s nice to see her have her support,” said Rick Raisman, Aly’s dad.

After two weeks in London and a few days in New York City, the 18-year-old gymnast came back with celebrity status.

“We didn’t even tell anyone when I was coming home and then there were so many news reporters and so many people who came to the airport. There were three helicopters over the house,” said Aly.

While there’s no doubt Aly looks happy to finally be home, home must look a little different than when she left.