If there has been one country that has made itself synonymous with the rags to riches story, then it is Brazil. Just look at Paris 2024. On top of the floor exercise podium stood a trinity of women of color. And the one leading them was Brazilian Rebeca Andrade with the gold. But this has not been an easy road. From sleeping on bunk beds with her siblings to nearly losing out on her career due to injuries to having her first big push due to a soccer club, her career has been a rollercoaster. But throughout all this, there was one person who was always in the front seat of her dive to fame. But who is this figure?

Well, as it happens, it is none other than Rebeca’s mother. And what better time to credit the person behind all your success than on the International Women’s Day? The day brought out some fascinating tales of grit and determination. One such story centered around the Olympic gold medalist thanking her mum for all she did. So, let’s dive into that.

Coming from a humble background in Brazil, being a gymnast of color was never easy. This was during the era when female gymnasts were given a set of ‘fit into the boxes’ guides to be ‘acceptable.’ This was not the only problem Andrade had. Imagine trying to execute a perfect vault with blurred vision! Yes, that is exactly how Andrade trained, and that is how she won the Olympic gold medal! 

All these would not have been possible without the support of another woman. Her mother, Dona Rose, stood like a pillar beside Andrade. A single mother of 8 children, Rose worked as a maid to raise her children. Thus, when she sent Andrade to pursue her dream for gymnastics as part of CR Flamengo in Rio De Janeiro, she faced a lot of criticism. But Rose was unperturbed. She put every iota of her faith in Andrade and believed that her daughter was capable of doing great things. 

It is also for the same reason that Rose believed in her daughter even after three almost career-ending knee surgeries. Surely, looking back at all the support she received, Andrade cannot help but thank the women in her life. Reflecting on the same, Andrade said, “My mother, my sister, the girls who are always with me here on the national team and Dai Igymnast Daiane dos Santos] as my idol. All of them, for their strength, resilience, explosiveness, joy, and beauty. They always taught me to love myself and to be strong.”

Well, if her mother was the pillar, then her idol, Daiane dos Santos, helped her construct a solid foundation. Dos Santos, who was the very first Brazilian world champion in gymnastics(2003), impacted Andrade significantly. It was Dos Santos who instilled the belief in Andrade that a woman of color from Brazil can also dominate at the biggest stage.

After winning the gold medal in Paris, Andrade reflected on the importance of having an idol. She pointed out that while she was an idol to many currently, Andrade felt honored to have had her favorite ‘Dai’ as an inspiration. Meanwhile, Andrade’s mother, sisters, and Daiane Dos Santos were not the only ones to show support. Back in Paris, Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles’ incredible gesture accounted for one of the greatest moments in sporting history.

Rebeca Andrade reflects on how sisterhood goes beyond rivalry in the sport

Rebeca Andrade believes the iconic podium moment with Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles at the Paris Olympics was more than just a gesture. The scene was a powerful display of mutual respect and sisterhood. As Andrade stood atop the podium after clinching gold in the women’s floor final, Biles and Chiles turned toward her and bowed. The moment from the Olympic arena resonated far beyond the gymnastics world.

For Rebeca Andrade, the bow represented the strength of the bond shared among elite gymnasts. Even in the most fiercely competitive environment. Recently, talking to Olympics.com, the Brazilian gymnastics queen shared, “Everyone wants to win, but regardless of how things are, you don’t need to wish harm on another person or want something bad for them.” Andrade further added, “That’s what we were able to show in these Olympics, mainly.” 

After the Olympic quest, Biles later explained the motivation behind the gesture, saying it was about “showing good sportsmanship [and] having fun out there because it was the last competition.” For Andrade, the moment highlighted the beauty of gymnastics beyond the physical elements. “We were able to show our affection, support, and respect for each other, consequently, our growth,” she noted. 

Andrade also stated how her heart is full of hopes that this generation of gymnasts will be recognized not only for their athletic achievements but also for the strength they display through their camaraderie. “I love practicing gymnastics as a woman. Showing all the beauty that we have in our work, which is not just physical beauty, but mainly the beauty of the strength that we have,” Andrade said.

Undoubtedly, the Paris podium moment captured that balance of strength and grace. On one hand, it celebrated the sport. On the other, it left an enduring image of sisterhood on the Olympic podium in the city of love.