MyKayla Skinner

“It's just so weird coming into the gym and not feeling like, you know, 'I'm going to die.' Before it was like, 'I've got to hit that routine or I'm going to get yelled at.' So it's just been really nice to kind of relax a little bit and be able to really focus on gymnastics and get to enjoy it more.”

“I'm enjoying gymnastics. Having people there to cheer you on is an amazing feeling and such a cool opportunity.”

“I knew I would try for the Tokyo Olympics back in 2016. I was sitting in the stands as an alternate at the Rio Olympics, watching my teammates compete and thinking to myself, 'That could have been me.'”

“The Olympics should be something so special, but I feel like it was definitely miserable at times.”

“I can't control who makes the team or not. I'm just happy to be an alternate.”

“A year does go by kind of fast.”

“In the end, there's more than just gymnastics.”

“I've accomplished so much. I'm just really proud of myself for even being able to do what I have.”

“I'm just going to go out there and do me and worry about myself because that's all that matters.”

“It is hard when you fall. I know that feeling. That disappointment sucks. You've just got to get up and keep moving.”

“I'm usually high energy and super crazy.”

“It's always hard being an alternate. Knowing you might not be put in, but you have to work just as hard. It's stressful.”

“I'm 24, which I know doesn't sound very old. But in the world of gymnastics it is. The Tokyo Games are my last shot to compete as a gymnast for Team USA, and my last shot at winning a gold medal.”

“For me, I'm just really excited to have a life.”

“It's pretty awesome to work this hard and come from Arizona.”

“I know what I want, my dreams and goals.”

“I miss out on tons of stuff.”

“I got to be calm, but I mean, it's the Olympics. Anybody wants to go out and do their best, so it's definitely a different kind of pressure.”

“I think it's so cool to show that age is just a number, and that anything is possible if you work hard and dream for it.”

“This is what I'm supposed to do. This is what I'm meant to do, is elite gymnastics.”