Northwest Missouri State University will host one of the most decorated American gymnasts of all time for two lectures in April. 

Aly Raisman, who served as the team captain of the United States’ gold-medal-winning women’s gymnastics teams in 2012 and 2016, will visit Northwest on Thursday, April 23. She will give lectures at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. in Bearcat Arena. Both lectures are free and open to the public.

 Raisman captured the hearts of millions of people when she became the first American gymnast to win a gold medal on the floor exercise at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London and then cemented her status as a gymnastics legend at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, where she helped guide the U.S. team to gold and earned a silver medal in the all-around competition. 

As a leader on and off the gym floor, Raisman uses her platform to help normalize conversations about mental health, encourage positive body image and promote the importance of self-care. She is a two-time New York Times best-selling author for her memoir, “Fierce,” and her children’s book, “From My Head to My Toes.” 

Raisman also is an on-air analyst for ESPN’s college gymnastics broadcast and a sought-after brand ambassador and keynote speaker. Inspired by an army of survivors, Raisman is a leading advocate for systemic change in the sport of gymnastics and the eradication of sexual abuse.