Kid Reporter Q&A: Laurie Hernandez
Despite an injury keeping her out of this year’s Olympics, this 21-year-old gold medalist has exciting opportunities ahead. Interview by Kid Reporter Emma Abramson
SI KIDS: What types of emotions do missing out on Tokyo 2020, due to an injury, trigger for you? Laurie Hernandez: There’s a lot of frustration in that. It’s one thing to put your foot down and say, “O.K., I choose to be done,” but that wasn’t the case this time around. I had been training really hard, and had ended up moving across the country to come back, and to have a fall like that was really discouraging. There were a lot of emotions flying and lots of tears.
Gold Over America Tour?
LH: In the Gold Over America Tour there’s going to be about 35 cities that we get to travel to. We have all types of athletes, but of course we know Simone [Biles] is kind of headlining this tour. We all specialize in something, whether that be entertainment, or dancing, or bars, or beam. What’s fun is that we also have athletes who are not Olympians that have gone to college and made a big name for themselves.
SIK: What is your role in UNICEF, and why did you choose to be an ambassador for it?
LH: I’m proud to be a UNICEF supporter and to be part of an organization that is making a really positive impact for kids around the world. There are different rallies to support kids around the world, and the goal is to empower all the kids out there and to make sure they know that they are loved and supported.
SIK: Do you have any other dreams that you want to accomplish in life?
LH: I would love to be an actress or be involved in just any form of entertainment, whether that be performing on stage, or singing, or dancing, whatever that might be. I loved doing that when I was a little kid: I would watch TV and impersonate other people and I loved being kind of like the house clown.
SIK: Is there any advice that you would give to a younger athlete that was looking to start a sport?
LH: Know that there are so many things that come with it. You get a community of people, you get heartbreak, you get lots of success, you get grit, and you learn about responsibility. I say absolutely go for it. You get to connect with so many wonderful people who want to do the same thing as you and that can be a lot of fun. If it gets hard, hang in there and know it’s okay for things to feel difficult or to feel uncomfortable because that’s where you grow.