UChicago student and gymnast fulfills Olympic dreams in Tokyo

UChicago Board of Trustees' gift launches new $200 million commitment to undergraduate financial aid and educational access - Rising third-year Liza Merenzon relishes journey, despite being sidelined by injury - Editor's note: This story is part of 'Meet a UChicagoan,' a regular series focusing on the people who make UChicago a distinct intellectual community. Read about the others here. This was not how Liza Merenzon thought her Olympic journey would end. As the United States rhythmic gymnastic team completed their routine in an empty arena in Tokyo, the University of Chicago student cheered for her team, nursing a nagging foot injury. So she watched anxiously on Aug. 7 as her teammates performed their final routine, the result of five years of training and countless hours of practice. She followed along with every detail of the choreography in her head, agonizing over every small mistake and celebrating every perfectly executed move.  "It's honestly more nerve-wracking to watch than to physically compete," said Merenzon, a rising third-year in the College.