Despite having won three medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Rebeca Andrade recently faced an unfortunate hurdle. After the recent Games, she came back home with a total tally of six Olympic medals. Thus making her the most successful Brazilian athlete. This glory, however, did not last long. She soon lost this title to Carol Santiago, a Brazilian swimmer at the Paralympics. Carol went on to win five medals at the 2024 Paralympics, which got her total tally to ten! This, of course, started a conversation around Rebeca and her legacy.

Amidst the noises of conversation came an unforeseen answer from an unexpected voice who came out to sing Rebeca Andrade’s praises. Flávia Saraiva, a fellow Brazilian gymnast who was with Rebeca on the Paris team that won Bronze, had some very intriguing answers in a recent interview with Decolar. The interviewer put her in the spot, asking her if she had the opportunity to put four people on the “Mount Rushmore” of gymnastics, who would they be?

That was the cue for Flávia to sing praises of the girl squad. As she went on to think about who she would put on her list, the playful banter turned into a deep conversation. Her first choice? Her mother, who was an artistic gymnast, was the first on the list. Next to make it to the list was Jade Barbosa, whose name Flávia once wished to adopt as a sign of admiration. And last but not least, her idol, Rebeca Andrade.

Despite the loss of the title, Flávia Saraiva was all praises. As Flávia herself puts it, “The third person I’m going to put Rebeca because there’s no way, right? Yes. She is the idol of Brazil. Six Olympic medals are not for anyone. No.” Flávia sure does make a point. Despite three gruesome ACL injuries over the years, Rebeca Andrade has stacked six Olympic wins. Now, that is not anyone’s cup of tea. Flávia, however, did not stop there.

Flávia went on to add, “We know that she is an excellent girl. She is one of my best friends; I train daily with her. I already lived with Rebeca, and I know her affection for her character, so she is exceptional. So, Rebeca.” The camaraderie and support have definitely added to the decision to put Rebeca Andrade on the “Mount Rushmore” list! The list, however, is not done yet. Flávia had one last person add.

The last person on Flávia’s list is a special one!

If you thought the banter couldn’t get any deeper, it took a wholesome turn when Flávia Saraiva revealed the last person. But she finally mustered up and said, “And the last person, it’s hard to choose only one person because there are many people in my life, very important. So I’m going to put my coach there too, who is daily with me, fighting with me, working hard.” Francisco Porath has been integral to Flávia’s growth and journey.

Flávia went on to explain the same, saying, “I’m not an easy person to train, but I love doing gymnastics. I have a lot of difficulty, but I need a person who has a lot of wisdom on my side.” And that is exactly what Porath brings to the table. He has stood by her during her most challenging moments, even when doubt found its way to creep in. “No, why do you want to give up? Do you think this is easy? It’s never easy,’” he would say to Flávia as she went through her recovery journey after 2022.

In 2022, Flávia had to withdraw from Worlds due to an ankle injury. Her journey to 2023 was far from easy, but Porath stood by her all along. Pushing her to do better. “He said, ‘We will work this out,’” Flávia recalled. And they sure did! In 2023, Flávia came back much like her idol Rebeca and went on to win two Silver medals in the Pan American games. After that sort of journey, it is no wonder that Francisco Porath made it to the list.

By the end of the conversation, a simple question had tuned into a heartfelt tribute to those Flávia loves. And Rebeca Andrade is definitely on top, even before her coach on the “Mount Rushmore” list!