Hezly Rivera Started Dreaming of the Olympics at the age of 7
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Hezly Rivera he may only be 16 years old, but he's been dreaming of the Olympics for a long time.
The gym coach spoke to him Us about life leading up to her Olympic debut in Paris. Rivera, who started gymnastics at the age of 5, described her early days in the sport as “fun” and the opportunity to “get out of the house and do flips.” However, two years later, Rivera said that he “knew what the Olympics were [she] what we want.”
Now Rivera's dream has come true as the youngest member of Team USA for the 2024 games. He has many teammates he can count on for support, including Olympic veterans Simone Biles, Sunisa “Suni” Lee, Jordan Chiles again Jade Carey.
“They will be good role models and mentors,” said Rivera. “Especially for my first Olympics, to be with people who have been there before and have experience.”
While their teammates will be there for support, they are also, of course, competing. Rivera said Us it's all about balance when it comes to supporting your team and competing at your best.
“It's very important to support your friends and the team,” said Rivera. “Even though you're competing against each other, it's nice to have a relationship. Being helpful and helping other gymnasts, I think that's what's great about this sport.”
Preparing for these games, said Rivera Us the training was “going really well.” Prioritizing his physical and mental health, Rivera said he focused on “staying[ing] with a good mind and trying to be as healthy as possible. “
Rivera couldn't be more excited to make his debut on the world stage, especially alongside such athletes.
“I'm so excited to share my journey with them,” he said, calling it a “once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
Rivera's team of Olympic veterans is seeking redemption from their silver medal run in Tokyo in 2021. Facing several setbacks, four returning athletes called the Paris Games their comeback. Led by Simone Biles, popularly known as “the greatest ever,” Team USA is ready to show the world that it “has a lot to offer.”
“I know we're stronger than what we showed in Tokyo, so I think it's got to be us because it's not going to be anyone else's — that's not why we're doing it,” Biles told reporters at a press conference on Sunday. , June 30. “We're doing it for ourselves, and the love of sports, and the love of representing the US. We're going to go out there and we're going to do our best.”
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