When opportunity knocks, you’d better answer the door. Right? Well, Hezly Rivera did just that. And at only 16 years old! The New Jersey native somehow managed to clinch a spot on the U.S. women’s gymnastics team for the Paris Olympics, even though she wasn’t exactly the frontrunner. But when fellow hopefuls Skye Blakely and Kayla DiCello got injured, Hezly stepped up and seized the moment. But now, six months after her glory in Paris, she finally lets the world know how the whole experience was.

2024 was special for Hezly as she was the youngest member in a team loaded with Olympic heavyweights like 7-time gold medalist Simone Biles and 2-time gold medalist Sunisa Lee. But Rivera wasn’t perturbed. On the balance beam, at the Olympic Trials, Rivera scored 27.975 points. And in doing so, she beat both Biles and Lee.

Not too shabby for a 16-year-old, right? But even with all that talent, Hezly knew she needed some guidance to make it on the world’s biggest stage. And who better to mentor her than Simone Biles and Suni Lee? Yep, you heard that right! Just recently, Hezly revealed that these two Olympic legends have been in her corner, helping her level up for the Paris Games.

In a recent Inside Gymnastics article, Hezly opened up about the support she got from her teammates. 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.” Solid advice, right? No surprise there—these veterans had been through it all, and they knew what Hezly needed: a little confidence boost and a whole lot of chill.

Hezly said, “They told me that’s the most important thing. I know how to do my gymnastics. I just try to not overthink, basically, and they really helped me with that.” But Suni wasn’t just a mentor figure to Hezly. She was even a companion and constant partner for the young gymnast as she was handling the pressure. Hezly mentions, “We would go to the dining hall, just walk around, grab something to eat, go to the grocery store, and get some coffee. We would just talk about life, and I could talk to her about anything.”

There are obvious signs that Suni taught Hezly some Olympic strategies for mental preparation. Hezly wrapped it up with, “Suni was very, very helpful to me and so was Jade. They were just the biggest role models. And Simone and Jordan, they always take care of me. They were always with me.” This simply tells how veterans like Biles and Lee are doing for the next generation beyond their own bouts.

Hezly also mentions, “

You know? It was a really cool experience just being with all of those veterans helping me and guiding me for my first Olympics.” It’s pretty obvious to see how much this guidance and camaraderie helped Hezly as she bagged her first Olympic gold. The experience went beyond competing because she grew up with an amazing group of veterans while they guided her throughout the journey. The team’s victory brought an ecstatic feeling to the entire group.

Hezly recalled, “It was just a feeling like no other… going through that with the best team ever is truly indescribable.” But this victory was not the end of Rivera’s epic adventure. As soon as the Golden Girls returned to the US, something else was awaiting them

Hezly Rivera’s epic fangirl moment with Simone Biles

Just after the team and Hezly returned to the US, the Gold Over America Tour was awaiting them. This further strengthened the bond Hezly had with her idols. And the best thing of all, she even got to fangirl over to Simone Biles. From fun grip strength challenges to heartfelt moments, it was a time of connection and growth.

“It was so awesome to see it come together,” Hezly said, reflecting on the effort and energy they all put into the show. Meanwhile, Simone lightened the mood with her hilarious moment on tour when she said she weighed in at 60 pounds, reminding everyone that even the goat has her quirks. And speaking of common ground, both Hezly and Simone share a love for baking. Whether it’s Hezly’s red velvet cakes or Simone’s famous chocolate chip cookies with a s’mores twist,.

It looks like their bond extends beyond the gymnastics mat! But the cherry on top? Meeting Simone Biles, which Hezly says is a moment she’ll never forget. This again is a testament to how far Hezly had come. Before the Paris Olympics, Hezly Rivera was humble about her chances, admitting,

“I think I’m the underdog.” At just 16, she went from being relatively unknown to joining the ranks of gymnastics legends like Simone Biles; that’s a dream come true.

Hezly had spent her childhood glued to the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, imagining herself on the big stage one day. And suddenly, she was living that dream. What really blew Hezly away, though, was sharing the spotlight with her heroes. “So obviously, being with the team of Simone Biles, Jordan Chiles, Suni Lee, and Jade Carey—I’ve looked up to them ever since, you know, like the last Olympic,” she said, grinning. “I’m just like, ‘Whoa!’”

Training and competing alongside these icons was surreal for Hezly. She said. “I’ve always looked up to these athletes.” Her Olympic journey wasn’t just about competing; it was about creating unforgettable memories with her idols and turning childhood dreams into reality. Now, with the Olympics behind her, Hezly Rivera has her sights set on the future.

“My goals are the 2025 Worlds and ’26, ’27, and then the Olympics in 2028,” she shared, showing her long-term vision. “But, obviously, I have little goals to worry about each and every day. I just set tiny goals, not just every day, but like every month, and just take it one step at a time and see where it takes me.” It looks like Hezly’s not only taking gymnastics by storm, but she’s also building a roadmap for the next big chapters in her career, one step at a time.