The journey to the Olympics is rarely easy, but it became a reality for the 16-year-old gymnastics prodigy.  At the age when teenagers are navigating their schools and other aspects of their lives, there were more than 10 such athletes who are in their teens and participated in the Paris Olympics. And in gymnastics, only one such member became the youngest gymnast for the USA team last year. 

That elite gymnast, Hezly Rivera, was the youngest of any Team USA athlete. She had entered the elite scope the year before, with a strong performance at the US Olympics trials in Minnesota in June 2024. Tying the first position on the balance beam, she marked the fifth position overall. Indeed an astounding achievement. But before entering the road to the trials–the last month of the year–in May, Hezly found serious obstacles in her gymnastics endeavor.

A rough May for the gymnastics prodigy Hezly Rivera

During the US Classic in 2024 May, Hezly and many Texas-based athletes found it difficult to reach the venue. They arrived in the middle of the night. It left them an hour before their practice on the competition equipment started. Finding difficulties in all four disciplines, Hezly Rivera ended the competition in 24th place, which was not her best result. Indeed, it was not a “very good month” for her. Yet, Hezly found some motivation from her coaches and family. “…once I got back from that competition, I had a meeting with my coaches and my family. They were just basically giving me a pep talk and saying that I could do this, to just have confidence in myself.” Hezly said to the Olympics.com. It helped her to grab the notion of the proverbial saying– one must not cling to the outcomes. And the month had some really bad omen for her.   

It was a stormy month for everybody across the 30 states in the US. And for Hezly Rivera, the month came with a personal loss. Just before the US Classic, her grandmother died. With that loss and amid the destructive spring, Hezly reached Hartford, Connecticut. And the results of that competition, well, nothing is noteworthy. But the motivation from coaches and family was “actually really helpful” for her. That unfolded afterward at the US Olympic trials. 

She was eager to show her skills in the next competition at the US Olympic trials. She and her coach created an environment that stimulated pressure during competitions. It was a successful experiment as Hezly Rivera ranked up to the gymnast legends like Simone Biles, Jordan Chiles, and Jade Carey. And they created history at the Paris Olympics.

It was a turning point for Rivera. The US elite gymnastics team won the gold medal, and Hezly Rivera was part of it. But Paris is like another beginning for the first-time Olympian. Now, she has her eyes on the next major events. 

Hezly is preparing for the next big thing

The 2026 Louisiana State University commit, Hezly, is now aiming to boost her NCAA gymnastics career. LSU is one of the major roosts with veteran NCAA gymnast Olivia Dunne or the upcoming Kailin Chio. And it is one of the reigning NCAA teams. As Hezly Rivera is siding with the LSU Tigers, it will be a spectacular show for NCAA watchers this year. She is already making waves with the veteran tag during her participation in the national team camp earlier in December. And maybe again, she will participate in February this year. 

Hoping to collaborate with her Paris Olympics teammate, Simone Biles, and others, Hezly said, “My goals are the 2025 Worlds and ’26, ’27, and then the Olympics in 2028. ” This means that gymnastics fans may see her at the Winter Cup and, more likely, this year’s US Classic. To her, the 2025 schedule is all about her preparedness for the next big thing.