A biography for Laurie Hernandezhasn’t been written yet.
“If you want to train hard enough to go to the Olympics, then you're going to go out, and you're going to do it. It doesn't matter what skin color or who you are.”
“I think it's amazing that I can go out there and be myself, and the fact that I'm carrying Puerto Rico on my back a little bit is such an honor.”
“Since kindergarten, I was the shortest kid in class. They always put me toward the front in school pictures, because you couldn't see me if I was in the back. It was kind of funny.”
“I'm glad to be partnered with Orgullosa because I feel that now that I'm able to win a gold medal at the Olympics, win a silver medal, I feel little girls will be able to look up to me, and Hispanics will kind of rise a little more.”
“I hope I can help inspire people to go for their dreams.”
“Life has been a really big whirlwind, but it's been a lot of fun. I travel so much, and I'm constantly doing things that I love, but it's just me.”
“Every year, my mom makes sure I have my checkups and everything, which is probably a really good idea. She's great with all that health stuff.”
“I don't think that being Hispanic, being black, being white - I don't think that limits you to anything. I think everyone should just go for what they want.”
“I am second-generation American, and my grandparents are from Puerto Rico.”
“When I was a little kid, I don't remember looking up and seeing so many Hispanic athletes out there.”
“I think a big part of what has helped me move forward with the sport is my family. We're all so close together, and the support system has been amazing.”
“No matter what race or color you are, you can aspire to do something great.”
“The Olympics, as a little kid, it was such a big goal that I created for myself, and I was able to push through and make that happen.”
“Coming into 'Dancing With the Stars,' I thought it would be a lot easier.”
“Being able to do something that I love and be at such a high level of gymnastics is just amazing.”
“Even though I'm a gymnast, I've always loved dancing.”
“Sometimes you just don't know what to say.”
“I'm confident. I'm a crowd pleaser.”
“When I perform and the crowd is cheering, there's a ringing noise in my head. I'm just zoned in, and even though I know there are people watching me, all I hear is this ringing inside of me.”
“The best part is when parents come up to me with their kids, and they say, 'My daughter started gymnastics because of you.'”