Hezly Rivera is making history as the youngest athlete to compete for Team USA in the 2024 Paris Olympics — and she's making her mark unapologetically!
Born in New Jersey, the 16-year-old gymnast secured a spot on the women's gymnastics team, which is led by Simone Biles, after winning a gold medal for her balance beam performance at the US Olympic Team Trials in Minnesota in June 2023. Read on to learn more about her!
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As a first-time Olympian, the gymnast spoke to Good Morning America about what this opportunity means to her.
"It feels incredible," she said. "This doesn't happen too often, so I'm very excited to be the youngest team member of the group. I felt so happy and super excited because this is what I've been working for my whole life. So for it to finally come true is so exciting and so surreal."
Hezly is one of the five women who are representing Team USA in artistic gymnastics for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Others include 27-year-old Simone Biles, 24-year-old Jade Carey, 23-year-old Jordan Chiles, and 21-year-old Suni Lee.
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The teen is trusting herself as she approaches the competition. "I need to trust myself and trust my training, because my muscle memory is there and it's very strong," she shared. "I just have to do what I do in the gym. And I know everything will be perfect."
As of now, Hezly doesn't know which events she'll be competing in at the Games. However, in her interview with GMA, she shared that she's training for "vault, bars, beam, and floor."
Hezly's enthusiasm for gymnastics started when she was a young girl. Her sister was the first one who noticed her passion. The teen said, "because from a very young age, I was already doing cartwheels and handstands and bridges everywhere."
When she attended a friend's fifth birthday party at a local gym, where she was "flipping around on all the equipment," is when others took notice of her talent. She recalls the coaches telling her parents that they should put her on a mini team.
In an interview with Self, the gymnast shared more about herself. "My favorite event is bars," she said. "It feels like I’m flying. The swing of it just comes very naturally to me." At the trials, she came in fourth for the event, right behind Olympians Simone, Suni, and Jordan.
Hezly is dedicated to her passion. She trains Monday through Saturday, and doubles up on Mondays through Thursdays. During the school year, she attends high school classes online. "I think it’s a tough, hard week, but Saturday and Sunday are definitely good days to recoup," she said. "And honestly, I love our schedule."
The teen has captured the attention of many, and is surrounded by a ton of support.
"Her bars are AMAZING!!!!!!!!" one person commented. "Ugh! The body line and technique is the best! So sharp and still fluid!"
"Hezly will be a breakout star in Paris," another person wrote. "She will make history, stay tuned."
