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U.S. ‘Fierce Five’ gymnasts flip lights at Empire State Building

Posted at 4:31 PM, Aug 15, 2012
and last updated 2012-08-15 16:31:48-04

NEW YORK, NY (WTVR)--The US Women's Gymnastics team , gold medal clad and happy to be home, was in New York to symbolically flip the switch at the Empire State Building; soon it will be lit up in red, white and blue to honor Team USA's victories in London.

After the ceremony, "The Fierce Five," as they're now called, talked about their quest for gold.

"That was our dream…we worked together,” Aly Raisman, Team Captain, said. "To accomplish that means everything to us."

Gabby Douglas is the first African-American to win the all-around gold. "Young girls look up to me and say ohh if she can do it, then I want to do it and anything's possible,” said Douglas.

Fan favorite McKayla Maroney, whose silver medal acceptance sneer in the vault competition is said to be one of most memorable moments of the 2012 Olympics, explained herself and said she doesn't regret making a "face" at the Olympics.

"In my heart, I was just disappointed that I fell on my butt at the Olympics,” Maroney said. "Funny to look back at what I did."

The team returned with three gold medals, their futures as bright as the shine on their medals.  What's in store for them now? Endorsements? The next Olympics 2016 in Rio?

"I haven't considered retiring because I would be too young...I'm definitly thinking about Rio,” said Douglas.

"Journey is the best part…and you always have to remember that,” Maroney.

The red, white and blue lights here will officially be turned on at sunset.

Next up, the girls will soon head on a cross country tour so fans can see them in action.