Gymnast Laurie Hernandez is a celebrity less as a member of the gold-winning US women’s squad, but more for her lovable mannerisms. A trademark wink and animated facial expressions has endeared the 16-year-old to sports buffs the world over.
Hernandez has become a rage on the internet — and nicknamed “The Human Emoji”. She winks for the judges before performing her routine in the gymnastics ring. Then there is a wink for the cameras once she sees her score.
Combined with her facial expressions in the run-up to the performances, and the compeption mantra of “I got this”, the social media is drooling over the teenager.
Sex workers offer discount
As the Games move into the last week, the 12,000 sex workers in Rio are offering discounts upto 50 percent to lure customers, especially foreigners. But the business, they say, is far from what they had expected.
Vila Mimosa, Rio’s biggest red light district about 1.7 km from the Maracana stadium, has been hit by a recession with fewer customers daring to pay a visit for fear of getting mugged.