Hezly Rivera has realized her childhood dream. On the conclusion of the U.S. Olympic trials in gymnastics, she came upon that she could be a part of the five-woman Olympic group.
“So many feelings. I used to be completely satisfied and excited,” Rivera stated.
Rivera trains at WOGA in Plano (World Olympics Gymnastics Academy) amongst a number of the biggest gymnasts on this planet.
“I’m so grateful to be right here and to be chosen on this Olympic group. 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 imagine that I’m right here,” Rivera stated.
The group headed to the Paris Olympics contains 37-time Olympic and World medalist Simone Biles, reigning Olympic all-around champion Suni Lee, Olympic ground train gold medalist Jade Carey, Olympic group 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 Group USA delegation headed to the 2024 Olympic Video games.
Although she is the youngest on the group, she stated 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 stated.
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It’s not misplaced on her the quantity of expertise is on the group.
“I feel it is tremendous comforting. They’ve already been via it. They’ve been via the journey and the Olympic Video games. I feel they’ll be capable to mentor me. Not simply on the Video games, however by way of coaching. I feel that will probably be nice assist for me. The roster is superb. They’re all unbelievable and contribute a lot to the group which I’m so completely satisfied about. I can’t imagine that I’m a part of this group as properly,” Rivera stated.
She stated she nonetheless can’t imagine that in 2021, she was sitting at her home and within the fitness center watching the Tokyo Olympics, saying to herself she wished to be on that group. 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 group. So once I hit bars and beam I knew that I had a shot,” Rivera stated.
Her father was visibly emotional when her identify was known as as a member of the gymnastics group. Rivera wasn’t shocked 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 very best probability of constructing an Olympic group.
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“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 superb having a father like him. He’s my hero, my rock and at all times pushes me to do my finest. And at all times comforting when issues get tough,” Rivera stated.
The whole USA Gymnastics delegation headed to the 2024 Olympic Video games in Paris, France, has been introduced.
