New York embraces Olympic gold-medal gymnasts

Forget Disney World, the "Fierce Five" celebrated their gold-medal gymnastics victory Tuesday in the Big Apple.

Greeted by cheering crowds, the teenage members of the women's gymnastics team spent the day in the city hitting one event after another with their gold medals proudly on display. Aly Raisman, 18, Gabby Douglas, 16, McKayla Maroney, 16, Jordyn Wieber, 17, and Kyla Ross, 15, said they couldn't contain their excitement while touring Manhattan and hearing the adulation from their new fans.

"We're really taking it in," said Raisman, the team captain. "Not too many 13- to 16-year-olds have this much fun."

The girls started their day on NBC's "Today" show, where they helped Al Roker with his weather report. Although they were the show's featured guests, the girls were starstruck when they met singer Nicki Minaj.

Later, the team headed over to the Empire State Building where they lit the top of the building red, white and blue in honor of all the American Olympians.

"It's already 11:30 and we've done so many great things," Raisman said.

Douglas, the first black American gymnast to win the gold medal in the all-around gymnastics event, said she is humbled by the responses she has received from youngsters.

"Young girls look to me and say, 'If she can do it, I want do it, and everything's possible' and it feels great," she said.

The girls went on to the New York Stock Exchange and were set for a taping of "The Late Show With David Letterman."

Maroney poked fun at her medal celebration that has become an Internet sensation.

The gymnast said she was not upset over the Tumblr meme of the scowl she made after she won the silver.