Hezly Rivera and Rebeca Andrade reflect on their Olympic experiences shaped by Biles’ influence.
When opportunity knocks, you’d best answer the door, and young gymnast Hezly Rivera certainly did just this age 16. This New Jersey native clinched her spot on the U.S. women’s gymnastics team for the 2024 Paris Olympics, but not without overcoming significant odds. Although she wasn’t the frontrunner, injuries sidelined fellow hopefuls Skye Blakely and Kayla DiCello, allowing Rivera to seize this remarkable moment. But for Rivera, participating was only half the story; she has come to value the monumental guidance provided by Simone Biles and fellow athlete Sunisa Lee.
Less than six months following Rivera’s Olympic achievement, she takes us back to the summer of 2024 when she found herself uniquely positioned on the team filled with gymnastics titans, including the legendary seven-time gold medalist Simone Biles and two-time gold medalist Sunisa Lee. Despite being the youngest, Rivera stood out, especially during the Olympic Trials where she scored 27.975 points on the balance beam, impressively besting both Biles and Lee. Not too shabby for someone just stepping onto this massive stage!
Nevertheless, Rivera knew the weight of expectations on her young shoulders. Luckily, she could lean on the wisdom and experience from Biles and Lee, whom she opened up about during recent conversations. She recounted, “They told me, ‘You’re going to feel nervous. You’re going to feel a little bit scared, but just block it out, do your normal and have confidence in yourself.’” The advice was gold. With Biles and Lee’s track record, they understood just what she needed to master her nerves and bolster her confidence.
But the support from these veterans went beyond what happens on the mat. Rivera reflected on her relationship with Lee saying, “We would go to the dining hall, just walk around, grab something to eat…talk about life.” This camaraderie acts as not just mental support but companionship during the intense Olympic run, allowing Rivera to navigate her first Games’ pressures effectively. Even as she triumphed, Rivera feels the guiding hand of her idols at every step, remarking, “They were just the biggest role models. And Simone and Jordan, they always take care of me.”
Such guidance and sisterhood heightened Rivera’s Olympic experience, which turned out to be not just about the competition but building lifelong memories with her role models. She recalls the electrifying moment of victory, describing it as, “a feeling like no other…going through this with the best team ever is truly indescribable.” But shortly after their Paris triumph, Rivera’s adventure continued as she joined her idols for the Gold Over America Tour. From strength challenges to heartfelt moments, it solidified her bond with Biles even more. “It was so awesome to see it come together,” Rivera reflected.
Simone Biles, known as the greatest gymnast of all time, doesn’t just excel individually; her influence reaches deep down to the next generation, leaving them inspired and motivated. Yet, it’s worth noting the competitive edge brought about by athletes like Biles. Fellow gymnast Rebeca Andrade has been vocal about how Biles shapes her performance as well. Andrade, Brazil’s most decorated gymnast and competitor against Biles, emphasized the strong desire to win but clarified, “For me, to be champion I had to do my best.” She acknowledges competing at such heights with Biles and shares how it instills confidence but also pressure during the Olympics.
Andrade achieved incredible success at the 2024 Paris Games, scoring 14.166 points on the floor exercise, narrowly beating Biles’ score of 14.133. After the win, Andrade admitted her disbelief, stating, “When the results came…I couldn’t believe it.” Her approach embodies the spirit of relentless dedication pushed by Biles’ presence, signaling the essence of rivalry as well as admiration.
Simone Biles herself recognized the challenge Andrade presented, jokingly stating, “I don’t want to compete with Rebeca no more. I’m tired. She’s way too close.” This light-hearted comment masks the deep respect Biles holds for Andrade, reflecting their intertwined experiences as both rivals and comrades on the Olympic stage. Sharing the stage with Andrade and feeling the pressure of competition only fueled Biles to perform at her best, referencing her mid-competition realization of the need to up her performance.
These interactions underline how Biles stretches her influence beyond just winning medals; she impacts the very mindset and competitive spirits of the athletes around her, whether through mentoring them directly or invoking competition. Rivera and Andrade both reflect this transformative influence, finding ways to thrive and outshine when it matters the most.
The young gymnast Hezly Rivera and veteran Rebeca Andrade carry the torch inspired by the strength exuded by Simone Biles, each crafting their unique
