- Title: U.S. champion gymnast Laurie Hernandez training for Olympic comeback
- Date: 30th October 2020
- Summary: COSTA MESA,CALIFORNIA (RECENT) (REUTERS) LAURIE HERNANDEZ SITTING FOR WEBCAM INTERVIEW (SOUNDBITE)(English) USA GYMNAST LAURIE HERNANDEZ SAYING: "You know, I know I'm not the only one whose been through my situation, I know people who in my eyes have had it worse, I know it still exists out there unfortunately but in doing something about it and seeing that there is a consequence for it, I think it shows others, hey, like this behavior isn't okay, and hopefully we get a lot of different culture changes because of it, and if speaking out about it and speaking out against emotional and verbal abuse is gonna help other people then absolutely I really hope I get to be a part of that change." WHITE FLASH
- Embargoed: 13th November 2020 16:34
- Keywords: Laurie Hernandez Maggie Haney Rio Olympics Simone Biles USA Gymnastics
- Location: COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA , UNITED STATES AND RIO DE JANERIO, BRAZIL
- City: COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA , UNITED STATES AND RIO DE JANERIO, BRAZIL
- Country: Various
- Topics: Gymnastics,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA009D2BJPRZ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Laurie Hernandez could have quit gymnastics after winning two medals for the United States at the 2016 Olympics. But after taking a break and speaking out against emotional abuse by her coach, she is on the path to a comeback.
Two years into her hiatus, she realized the psychological abuse she had faced from coach Maggie Haney had nothing to do with gymnastics itself.
"I don't hate the sport and I didn't hate the sport," she told Reuters. "I didn't like the environment that I was in."
Hernandez went public in April, describing on social media how Haney humiliated her, commented on her weight and made her train despite multiple injuries. Hernandez also testified against Haney at a USA Gymnastics hearing that led to Haney being suspended for eight years by the sport's American governing body.
"It was really difficult, especially during an Olympic year and trying to train for a really big competition," said Hernandez, 20. "Pushing (yourself) to a physical limit and then also mentally having to go back and talk about it."
Hernandez, who won silver on the balance beam and gold in the team event at the Rio Games, said the ban marked a major step toward addressing psychologically abusive behaviour in the sport.
"We're in 2020 and we can't treat people like we used to a couple of decades ago," Hernandez said. "The times are changing, and it's time to be really respectful to everybody -- especially when it comes to kids."
Separately, USA Gymnastics has been rocked by a sexual abuse scandal involving former team doctor Larry Nassar, who was sentenced to up to 300 years in prison in 2017 after more than 350 women testified.
During her time away from gymnastics, Hernandez travelled, competed in Dancing with the Stars and wrote a children's book.
Now back in training, she advocates for mental health. She was also featured in "Defying Gravity: The Untold Story of Women's Gymnastics," a documentary series about the lives of elite gymnasts launched on YouTube last month.
When away from the sport, Hernandez knew she needed to make drastic changes in order to return. In 2018 she made the 3,900-km (2,423-mile) move to California from her native New Jersey to train with different coaches.
"I want to make the Olympic team. That's the reason why I'm back," she said. "But the most important part for me is that I'm feeling safe and that I'm loving what I do."
With the Tokyo Olympics postponed for a year because of the coronavirus pandemic, Hernandez has had more time to hone her technique and upgrade her routines.
"Because the Olympics were delayed, it's going to be that much sweeter," she said. "I think a lot of people across the globe are just so excited to see what we can achieve and get back out there. It's going to be great."
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