Judo gold medalist Harrison to ring in NASDAQ today

This morning, Olympic gold medalist Kayla Harrison will transition from the judo mat to the stock exchange.Harrison, who earlier this month became the first American to win gold in judo, will ring in the opening bell for the NASDAQ stock exchange in Times Square at 9:30 a.m. today.”Only very prominent people do something of that stature,” said Jimmy Pedro, the head coach of the US Olympic judo team and a former Olympian himself (he won bronze twice), whose family has Lynn connections.Pedro, who spoke while en route to New York City on Thursday, noted that others who have rung the bell at the NASDAQ include Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. When asked whether a judoka (the term for a participant in the martial art of judo) has rung in the NASDAQ before, Pedro said, “I don’t believe so. I don’t believe they have.”Harrison made history in London, outlasting the hometown favorite, Gemma Gibbons of the UK, in the final. Harrison overcame having a point taken away from her in the final to prevail.The NASDAQ lists approximately 3,400 companies, which are worth $6 trillion, according to a release. Harrison’s publicist secured the NASDAQ visit through the US Olympic Committee. Team USA will, in fact, have quite a few members in Times Square today. Pedro, team manager Chris Skelley and teammate Travis Stevens will all appear alongside Harrison to open the NASDAQ.The appearance is one of many Harrison will make today, beginning with a 6:15 a.m. visit to CNN and a 7:45 a.m. radio talk. After the trip to the NASDAQ, it’s on to another appearance at 11:15.”She’ll be busy all day in New York City,” Pedro said.That’s been the story for Harrison ever since the Summer Olympics in London ended.”She got home Monday night late into Boston,” Pedro said. “Since then, she hasn’t slept.” He added that she has gone “from one place to another.”Perhaps, then, it’s appropriate for Harrison to visit the city that never sleeps, and the similarly busy stock exchange of the NASDAQ.Rich Tenorio can be reached at [email protected].