Laurie Hernandez said she plans to ease back into gymnastics training at the end of the summer but hasn’t set a return to competition, according to Inside Gymnastics.
“Mentally and physically I needed a break, but I’m ready to get back at it soon,” Hernandez said, according to the report.
Hernandez, 17, hasn’t competed in gymnastics since earning Olympic team gold and balance beam silver in Rio.
She competed on “Dancing with the Stars” last fall -- and won -- and has maintained optimism about a Tokyo 2020 run.
But if Hernandez doesn’t return to training until late summer, she will miss the P&G Championships in August and thus the world championships in October.
Hernandez also said she might not compete in the all-around again, depending on how her body feels. She will focus on balance beam and floor exercise to start in her return, according to Inside Gymnastics.
Olympic teammates Simone Biles, Aly Raisman and Gabby Douglas also haven’t competed since Rio. Biles and Raisman have said they plan to return to training after a full year away from competition. Douglas hasn’t announced if or when she’ll return to the sport.
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