Rebeca Andrade Leads Coach to Make Urgent Appeal for Gymnastics at Olympics

Do you ever find yourself reminiscing about the dazzling moments of the 2024 Paris Olympics? The Games were filled with unforgettable performances, but few were as captivating as those of Brazilian gymnastics star Rebeca Andrade. Competing at the iconic Bercy Arena, the 25-year-old led Brazil to a historic team bronze, making it clear she was just getting started. Andrade then faced off against her fiercest rival, Simone Biles, earning two hard-fought silver medals in the all-around and vault events. But it was on the final day of gymnastics, August 5, that Andrade delivered her crowning achievement.

Stepping into the Bercy Arena one last time, she dazzled in the women’s floor exercise. With a stellar score of 14.166, Andrade claimed a coveted gold medal, her fourth of the Games. This victory not only brought her Olympic career tally to six medals but also cemented her legacy as the most decorated Brazilian Olympian of all time. Andrade’s extraordinary run has inspired her coach to shift focus toward leveraging this momentum for the future. What’s next for this trailblazing gymnast? Let’s see!

Rebeca Andrade’s Parisian stint is the answer to the future

The feeling of stepping onto the podium can never get too old. But nothing could’ve been better for Rebeca Andrade than closing out her Olympic stint with her first gold on the international stage. So much so, that children’s interest in the sport grew exponentially. The gymnast’s coach Francisco Porath, better known as Xico, couldn’t have been happier. Watching his mentee accomplish this feat led to him making an essential appeal.

Coach Porath reiterated that many people contacted him, expressing their child’s interest in gymnastics. They were even on a waiting list for numerous gymnastics schools. So, what does he have to say about this? “My appeal is always this: business owners, government officials, managers, clubs, don’t leave these children in this line, let’s do something to expand the spaces.” Xico drove his point home by adding that the next Rebeca could be in the line. Do we really want to keep them waiting?

“I think that Brazil, today, wants to do gymnastics, so the competent bodies need to assist these children so that we don’t miss out on this moment,” Francisco exclaimed. It’s true. Watching the Olympian clinch the final gymnastics gold medal in the French capital captivated the hearts and minds of numerous young children, who often tend to lean towards the pitch over the mat. In fact, 425 new sports opened up at the local gymnastics center, which filled up in less than 48 hours. Do you know what the best bit is? This is the quickest it has ever been.

When it comes to Rebeca Andrade, Coach Porath has been a huge part of her life since she was 7 years old. After a historic run in Paris, she couldn’t help but give credit where it was due. After bagging the final medal, the gymnast thanked the coach for helping her prepare for the Olympics.

While she didn’t think she could be a gold medalist, Xico shared the same sentiment. “He also responded by saying that he had never imagined that we would achieve so many things,” the Olympian confessed. She has always considered the coach as a father figure, and this relationship has been crucial to the gymnast’s journey. But what if we tell you that her year keeps getting better since the Games?

The 25-year-old ended her 2024 season with a bang

It’s strange to think that the Brazilian gymnast almost bid the mat adieu post-Paris. However, nothing can take away from the fact that she put her best foot forward on the world’s biggest stage. While that was more than enough for the Olympian, she finally received her flowers months after the dreamy stint.

In November, the Brazilian Olympic Committee announced that she would be one of the 21 athletes being honored with the prestigious Brazilian Olympic Prize. Well, the awards ceremony finally took place on December 11 at Vivo Rio. Unsurprisingly, Rebeca Andrade won the Athlete of the Year Award – King Pelé Trophy for the fourth consecutive year.

But wait, that’s not it! Making history on the Olympic mat is no easy feat, and the gymnast has continued to inspire the next generation. The nation fell in love with the sport shortly after watching her contest in the 2020 Olympics. So, it’s obvious that the 25-year-old’s name is synonymous with the term influential.

To honor the history-making Olympian, BBC’s 100 Women of 2024 includes Rebeca Andrade as one of the inspiring and influential women of today. The gymnast shares this honor with Allyson Felix, Joan Chelimo Melly, and Tracey Otto. You can spot her under the entertainment and sports category in the annual BBC Woman Season series. Given her tremendous growth this year, do you think the 25-year-old’s coach is right? Tell us in the comment section below!