?I Think My Knee Popped?: Gruesome Injury Changed US Gymnast?s Perspective Towards Her Sport

Sports are one of the most efficient ways of expressing oneself. However, sometimes an unexpected break from regular training and competitions, could also turn out to be helpful. That is exactly what happened in the case of elite USA gymnastics team member, Morgan Hurd. After suffering a major injury in 2021, although Hurd was upset about missing out on some major events, she did not complain. During a recent interview, the gymnast opened up about her unpredicted downtime from the sport.

21-year-old gymnast Morgan Hurd is one of the youngest and most successful members of the US Gymnastics team. Unfortunately, in late 2021, her career took a halt when the gymnast met with an accident at Simone Biles?s Gold Over America Tour.

How an injury helped Morgan Hurd

During an interview with Olympics.com, Hurd recalled, ?I was landing a side aerial, lay[out stepout] in December of 2021 and my knee turn in and I just kind of fell off the beam. I said to [my coach] Brooke [Parker], ?I can?t tell if I?m being dramatic, but I think my knee popped.?? Just like she had thought, Hurd had torn her ACL, but according to the doctors, it had happened a while ago. Hence, Hurd believes she tore her ACL back in 2020.

However, during the same time, Hurd was also preparing to join the University of Florida?s women?s gymnastics team. But after the injury, all her gymnastic schedules and plans took a back seat. Nevertheless, Hurd decided to grab this opportunity to explore new environments and moments beyond the mat.

Born in China and adopted by her American mother Sherri, Hurd learned more about her heritage via a Chinese American Association at her university. Participating in such cultural events and other activities led Hurd to discover a door to new perspectives. Spending time with friends and people from similar walks of life helped the gymnast understand her role as an athlete.

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She stated, ?I had that like everything I do is for gymnastics [mindset] and my whole life revolves around gymnastics and every decision I make is for gymnastics. But, then, because I was injured, I had so much free time, so much pent up energy, it really helped me kind of put myself out there and get more comfortable with doing things I?d never done before.?

So, how will the young gymnast now approach the sport?

Hurd?s journey back to the gymnastics world

Although Hurd has several achievements to her name, sadly, she was unable to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. While the gymnast regrets missing out on the opportunity, now, for her being an athlete means more than just competing.

Concluding the interview, and said, ?With whatever I do, I just always hope that it helps not even just younger athletes, but really anyone out there, even adults, just know that they?re not alone, and to hopefully give other people courage to not shy away from using their voice to speak their mind and stand up for what they believe it, and be who they want to be.”

After a successful break, Hurd seems ready to bounce back from the injury with a positive attitude. The gymnast has already stepped foot on the mat again, and has started her training for future competitions.

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Just as fans expect gymnastic GOAT Simone Biles to make her comeback to the sport, many will also hope that Morgan Hurd too makes it to the 2024 Paris Olympics team. Hopefully, recovering from injury and learning new things, will lead the young gymnast to her Olympic dreams.