2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic GamesAug 3, 2016 by Rebecca Johnson
Laurie Hernandez Goes Pro
Laurie Hernandez Goes Pro
2016 U.S. Olympic team member Laurie Hernandez has decided to turn professional and sign with Sheryl Shade of Shade Global.
2016 U.S. Olympic team member Laurie Hernandez has decided to turn professional and sign with Sheryl Shade of Shade Global.
Hernandez is the youngest member of the U.S. team at 16 years old and will make her Olympic debut on Sunday in Qualifications. She was committed to the University of Florida for the 2018-2019 season with senior elite teammate Jazmyn Foberg, but becoming a professional athlete forfeits her eligibility to compete in the NCAA.
With vibrant energy and a bubbly personality, Hernandez is a highly marketable athlete and joins the Shade Global family of athletes, which includes Olympians Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin.
Lucrative contracts and nonstop media attention aside, Hernandez has one real job right now, and that is to light up the arena in Rio.
Coach Maggie Haney congratulated her superstar on Twitter:
Release via USA Gymnastics:
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, Aug. 3, 2016 -- Laurie Hernandez of Old Bridge, N.J./MG Elite, has decided to forego her collegiate eligibility and has officially signed with Sheryl Shade of Shade Global. Hernandez, currently a member of the U.S. Olympic Women's Gymnastics Team, plans to continue in elite gymnastics for the next four years and compete on Team USA.
"I am excited about what it means to compete at the highest level of this sport and really want to focus on elite gymnastics for the next four years," said Hernandez. "This was not an easy decision to make, but by making the decision now, it allows me to focus entirely on gymnastics and how I can enjoy this sport that I love."
"Right now, I am focusing on how I can contribute to the success of this team here in Rio, and prefer this does not become a distraction to me or my teammates."
Hernandez is the youngest member of the U.S. team at 16 years old and will make her Olympic debut on Sunday in Qualifications. She was committed to the University of Florida for the 2018-2019 season with senior elite teammate Jazmyn Foberg, but becoming a professional athlete forfeits her eligibility to compete in the NCAA.
With vibrant energy and a bubbly personality, Hernandez is a highly marketable athlete and joins the Shade Global family of athletes, which includes Olympians Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin.
Lucrative contracts and nonstop media attention aside, Hernandez has one real job right now, and that is to light up the arena in Rio.
Right now, I am focusing on how I can contribute to the success of this team here in Rio, and prefer this does not become a distraction to me or my teammates.
Coach Maggie Haney congratulated her superstar on Twitter:
It's official~this girl has gone pro! I'm just so proud of her & the amazing young lady she is turning out to be! pic.twitter.com/f5H4OheEuc
— Maggie Haney (@maggiemags26) August 3, 2016
Release via USA Gymnastics:
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, Aug. 3, 2016 -- Laurie Hernandez of Old Bridge, N.J./MG Elite, has decided to forego her collegiate eligibility and has officially signed with Sheryl Shade of Shade Global. Hernandez, currently a member of the U.S. Olympic Women's Gymnastics Team, plans to continue in elite gymnastics for the next four years and compete on Team USA.
"I am excited about what it means to compete at the highest level of this sport and really want to focus on elite gymnastics for the next four years," said Hernandez. "This was not an easy decision to make, but by making the decision now, it allows me to focus entirely on gymnastics and how I can enjoy this sport that I love."
"Right now, I am focusing on how I can contribute to the success of this team here in Rio, and prefer this does not become a distraction to me or my teammates."
