2020 Rose Parade Co-Grand Marshal Laurie Hernandez Withdraws From U.S. Gymnastics Championships After Injury

Laurie Hernandez, the 20-year-old gymnast from Old Bridge Township, New Jersey who was one of three celebrities announced as grand marshals of the 2020 Rose Parade, has withdrawn from the U.S. Gymnastics Championships after injuring her left knee during balance beam warm-ups on Friday, USA Gymnastics said.

On Twitter last Friday, Hernandez tweeted:

“Hey guys, was doing a dismount during meet warm-ups and hyperextended my knee. Unfortunately, we had to pull out of day 1, but we’re still keeping an open mind about day 2 and playing it by ear. not the way I thought this would go, but thank you for all the love and support.”

When USA Gymnastics released the starting list for the second night of competition Sunday, Hernandez was not on it.

“Due to Laurie’s recent knee injury, she and the medical team made the decision to withdraw from the competition,” USA Gymnastics said.

Hernandez can petition for a spot in the U.S. Olympic Trials in three weeks.

Hernandez earned Olympic Gold and Silver medals as a member of the 2016 U.S. Olympic Women’s Gymnastics Team. A second-generation American, her grandparents are from Puerto Rico, making her the first U.S. born Latina to make the U.S. team since 1984.

Following her win at the Summer Olympics, she earned another title: champion on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars.” In 2017, Hernandez became an inductee into the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame and was recognized as the 2018 Nickelodeon Kids Choice Sports Biggest Kid.

Along with Hernandez, who turns 21 on Wednesday, Academy Award winner Rita Moreno and actress Gina Torres were also named co-grand marshals of the 2020 Rose Parade.