Time might heal, but for top gymnasts, it sure takes more than that. Just look at Simone Biles, who shook off a calf injury at the Paris Olympics and still managed to win three gold medals. On the other hand, her biggest rival, Rebeca Andrade, who Biles even bowed down to in Paris, has been wrestling with injuries for years and continues to be in pain Yet, Andrade made history by snagging gold in the floor final, becoming Brazil’s most decorated Olympic gymnast at the Bercy Arena.

But even weeks later, the pain lingers. Andrade recently opened up on Bola da Vez, admitting that the relentless demands of gymnastics have forced her to scale back on floor exercises because the pain and exhaustion just won’t quit.

In her interview, Rebeca Andrade opened up about her struggles since the Olympics. “Sometimes, you feel so much pain that your body starts to throb. My knee hasn’t been complaining that much; it’s other things. My back, my shoulder, my tendon… Sometimes, I wake up in the morning, and I’m already limping out of bed. I can’t go down the stairs, I can’t go up on tiptoe—basic things,” she revealed.

Andrade also shared her reluctance to rely on pain medication, as it only masks the underlying issues. She explained that she relies on extensive treatment and physiotherapy to keep her body going.

Reflecting on her floor routine at the Paris Olympics, Andrade described crying not out of joy, but out of relief. She wasn’t celebrating the gold medal but that she made it out of the competition in one piece, without any new injuries. Despite being in good mental and physical shape, the pain was a constant companion throughout her performance. Yet, she made it, establishing a reminder as to how to turn sorrows into success.

Simone Biles and Rebeca Andrade turned setbacks into success

At 25, Rebeca Andrade has truly etched her name into Olympic history at the 2024 Games, but her remarkable journey began long before that. It all started in 2016 when she competed on home soil in Brazil, capturing the hearts of her nation. Then came the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where Andrade proudly carried Brazil’s flag, embodying the hopes of her country. She soared to new heights by winning silver in the individual all-around and gold in the vault, becoming the first Brazilian female gymnast to ever medal. Known for her relentless spirit and unyielding determination, Andrade’s path to greatness has been anything but smooth. She has fought through the pain of three ACL injuries, rising again and again to win multiple medals and World Championships.

Andrade’s battle with ACL injuries is a testament to her resilience. It began in 2015, leading to her first surgery and forcing her to miss the World Championships. She fought back in 2016, only to suffer another devastating ACL injury in 2017, which required yet another surgery and sidelined her from the World Championships once more. But Andrade’s courage didn’t waver. She returned in 2018, and in 2019, faced yet another crushing blow—another ACL tear during a floor routine at the Brazilian Nationals. Despite the repeated heartbreak and countless hours of rehabilitation, Andrade’s spirit remained unbreakable, much like Simone Biles’ indomitable performance at the Paris Olympics.

Biles, too, faced her battle with adversity. During warm-ups for her floor exercise, she injured her left calf and had to step off briefly to get it taped. But this is Simone Biles we’re talking about—she didn’t let anything stop her. She came back with a vengeance, executing her signature Yurchenko double pike on vault, and scored the highest in the all-around. Despite the pain, Biles went on to win three gold medals at the Summer Games, proving once again why she is considered one of the greatest athletes of all time.

Andrade’s journey is a powerful reminder of what athletes are capable of achieving, even when the odds are stacked against them. Just like Biles, Andrade embodies the essence of resilience and tenacity. After her incredible win, Andrade took to Instagram to reflect on her journey, sharing a heartfelt message: “It’s about having the strength to not give up.” Her words resonate deeply, capturing what it means to be an elite athlete—celebrating not just the victories but the struggles that make those victories so meaningful.

With her passion and drive, Andrade has inspired millions, and with the LA28 Olympics on the horizon, there’s no doubt she will continue to amaze us all. The world eagerly awaits to see what this unstoppable force of nature will accomplish next!