Hezly Rivera has realized her childhood dream. On the conclusion of the U.S. Olympic trials in gymnastics, she discovered that she could be a part of the five-woman Olympic staff.
“So many feelings. I used to be glad and excited,” Rivera mentioned.
Rivera trains at WOGA in Plano (World Olympics Gymnastics Academy) amongst among the best gymnasts on the planet.
“I’m so grateful to be right here and to be chosen on this Olympic staff. I’ve made so many sacrifices to get right here so I wish to thank God, my coaches, household, my mates and my teammates. I jut can’t consider that I’m right here,” Rivera mentioned.
The staff headed to the Paris Olympics contains 37-time Olympic and World medalist Simone Biles, reigning Olympic all-around champion Suni Lee, Olympic flooring train gold medalist Jade Carey, Olympic staff silver medalist Jordan Chiles, and two-time 2023 Junior World silver medalist and 2024 Winter Cup stability beam champion Rivera, who at 16 years and 26 days previous is at present the youngest member of all sports activities within the Staff USA delegation headed to the 2024 Olympic Video games.
Despite the fact that she is the youngest on the staff, she mentioned she needed to assume like a veteran all through the competitors.
“I considered it as each different meet. Simply going on the market and doing my factor, mainly doing what I do within the fitness center. I used to be simply pondering its simply me and my beam or simply me and the bar. I attempt to calm myself down beforehand. I [was thinking] I’m just like the underdog and there wasn’t a lot strain on me which was most likely a great factor. I simply went on the market and did my factor,” Rivera mentioned.
It’s not misplaced on her the quantity of expertise is on the staff.
“I believe it is tremendous comforting. They’ve already been by it. They’ve been by the journey and the Olympic Video games. I believe they may have the ability to mentor me. Not simply on the Video games, however by way of coaching. I believe that will probably be nice assist for me. The roster is wonderful. They’re all unbelievable and contribute a lot to the staff which I’m so glad about. I can’t consider that I’m a part of this staff as properly,” Rivera mentioned.
She mentioned she nonetheless can’t consider that in 2021, she was sitting at her home and within the fitness center watching the Tokyo Olympics, saying to herself she needed to be on that staff. Now, she is right here.
“I couldn’t have imagined that and I’m simply so excited and by no means would have thought that might have occurred. Bars and beam are what I can contribute to the staff. So once I hit bars and beam I knew that I had a shot,” Rivera mentioned.
Her father was visibly emotional when her title was referred to as as a member of the gymnastics staff. Rivera wasn’t stunned contemplating how a lot her household has supported her. They really moved from New Jersey to Plano in order that she might prepare at WOGA and have the most effective probability of constructing an Olympic staff.
“He [my dad] has been with me because the starting and at all times been supporting me since I used to be little. It’s been so wonderful having a father like him. He’s my hero, my rock and at all times pushes me to do my greatest. And at all times comforting when issues get tough,” Rivera mentioned.
Your complete USA Gymnastics delegation headed to the 2024 Olympic Video games in Paris, France, has been introduced.