INDIANAPOLIS – Gymnastics is what Laurie Hernandez does. It is not who she is.
While that might seem like an obvious distinction, it’s one many elite athletes struggle to make. Truth be told, many non-elite and non-athletes, too. But when you’re staring down “retirement” in your teens or early 20s, and you’ve devoted your life to your sport for as long as you can remember, well, it can be particularly angst-ridden.
Which is why Hernandez has no regrets about her choices these last four years. Even if they wind up costing the 19-year-old a chance at a second Olympic team.