Aly Raisman Joins ESPN as Gymnastics Analyst in ‘New Chapter’ of Her Career: ‘I’m So Excited!’ (Exclusive)

The three-time Olympic gold medalist will make her ESPN broadcasting debut Friday night, PEOPLE can exclusively share

Aly Raisman is joining ESPN!

The three-time Olympic gold medalist is set to join the network as an analyst on its NCAA gymnastics broadcasts, PEOPLE has exclusively learned.

ESPN will make an official announcement on Thursday afternoon. Raisman, 29, will make her broadcasting debut on Friday during a meet between No. 8-ranked LSU and No. 6 Kentucky.

“I'm so excited,” Raisman tells PEOPLE. “If I'm being honest, I'm also very nervous because I want to do a good job.”

Raisman says the analyst job is “very different than anything I've ever done” but it will offer “a really cool new chapter for me and a big challenge.”

“I'm just really excited and appreciative for the opportunity to be able to stay involved in the sport,” the two-time world champion says.

Related: U.S. Olympian Aly Raisman Shares Cover of New Children’s Book About Consent (Exclusive)

Raisman was a prominent member of the 2012 and 2016 U.S. Women’s Gymnastics teams, and was the captain of the famed “Fierce Five” group with teammates Gabby Douglas, McKayla Maroney, Kyla Ross and Jordyn Wieber, who brought home the overall team gold.

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Now, the former U.S. captain will be following along with the sport’s up-and-coming stars in the NCAA. Raisman says she’s been preparing for her debut Friday by watching old gymnastics meets and recording herself commenting on the action, pausing to take notes and judge her own performance.

“I probably haven't watched this much since I was eight years old, and I was watching the 96 Olympics over and over again,” she laughs, giddy with excitement over the opportunity. “I feel like a little kid again.”

Related: Simone Biles and Aly Raisman Reunite in Glam 'Getting Ready' Video

Raisman’s broadcasting career will kick off alongside fellow U.S. Olympian John Roethlisberger, who also calls college gymnastics meets for ESPN and has helped Raisman prepare for her debut.

Raisman and Roethlisberger are two of several former Olympians on the ESPN broadcasting team, which also includes Bart Conner, Kathy Johnson Clarke, Samantha Peszek, Bridget Sloan and Alicia Sacramone Quinn.

“I'm just hoping that in the moment I won't be too nervous,” Raisman says. “I'm trying to imagine it as if I'm sitting in a living room with friends and people who don’t know anything about gymnastics, and I'm kind of just walking them through it and explaining how things go.”

Raisman adds: “I just kind of want to be able to do my best to just enjoy it and also just be a fan for the night and have fun.”

Kentucky vs. LSU airs at 9 p.m. ET. on the SEC Network, part of ESPN's network.

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