“Risky Move”: Gymnastics Fans Overlook 16-Year-Old Prodigy Due To Suni Lee And Other Olympians Presence

At the 2023 Junior World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, the 14-year-old Hezly Rivera had a scary moment. As she was doing her routine her hand slipped, causing a crash on a vault. This could have rattled the young Rivera, but she bounced back stronger. Her stellar performance at the 2024 Xfinity US Championships helped her qualify for the Olympic Trials, but fans think it may be too early for her to be in Paris.

One really shouldn’t discount Rivera’s talent though, as she is quickly rising atop the food chain to claim her place among the crème de la crème. Up against the likes of Simone Biles, Shilese Jones, Suni Lee, and Jade Carey, her stunning routines with a final tally of 110.35 placed her fifth in the all-around category at the US National Championships. This was the biggest jump in scores at this year’s Xfinity Games. 

Unlike her competitors, Rivera is not a World Championship or Olympic medalist. However, she demonstrated her skill and consistency when it mattered most, putting her in contention for a spot on the Olympic team in Paris. But her path has not been an easy one.

After the disappointment of junior Worlds she said she would learn from it, and she has. Instead of shaking her confidence, the slip provided her a lesson. “I kind of like to forget about the past because it’s just the past. You can’t fix anything, so you have to move forward.” And move forward she did.

At the 2023 Xfinity Gymnastics Championship, she claimed her first U.S. junior women’s all-around gold medal beating off competition from Kieryn Finnell, who finished second. Now, nearly a year later, she has delivered once again, this time at the senior level and has a massive chance to make it to the Olympics.

With the Trails set to begin from June 27 to June 30, her path to Paris won’t be easy. With established stars like Suni Lee and Simone Biles aiming to add to their accolades, Rivera may not be the first name that comes to mind for Paris.

In fact, a fan took to social media to highlight what they think about Rivera’s chances at the Olympic Trials. They stated, “GymCastic thinks that if Hezly Rivera finishes top 5 in the all around at Trials, she makes the team — even if she is not on the highest scoring team. Do you agree? Personally, I feel like Hezly would have to finish top 4.”

Soon, the rest of the gymnastics also community weighed in, voicing support for their favorites and what they thought of Rivera’s chances of making it to Paris.

“Doesn’t have the reputation,” Fans doubt Hezly Rivera’s Olympic prospects despite stellar performance

Hezly Rivera will soon compete for a spot on the national team. But despite her stellar performances in the Xfinity Championship, fans are unsure of her making it to Paris. They highlighted the complexities and shared their beliefs over her situation. One fan reiterated, “I think she could finish top three and still not make the team,” considering seasoned veterans will be vying for a ticket to the French Capital. 

Out of the 16 women vying for a place in the team at the games, five will make it. This means, Rivera will have to put on a stellar performance, considering the field consists of heavyweights like Biles, Shilese Jones, Suni Lee, Jordan Chiles and Skye Blakely among others. As such, a place in the top 3, which will be difficult, could get her into consideration at the very least.

A fan also pointed out that Rivera doesn’t have the required experience to go to the Paris games. They wrote, “She is fabulous, but I think she would need to be in the top 3 to even be considered. She is new, doesn’t have the international experience or reputation, and it is unclear how she would do under pressure. I could see her as an alternate.”

Young gymnasts going to Olympics isn’t unheard of. US fans will fondly recall the 1996 U.S. women’s gymnastics team, known as The Magnificent Seven. It included 14-year-old Dominique Moceanu, who helped her team win gold. Mary Lou Retton, was 16 when she became the first American woman to win the all-around gold medal with perfect scores on floor exercise and vault at the 1984  LA Olympics

In the two-day trial, the athlete with the highest all-around score will automatically qualify for the Olympics. The Athlete Selection Committee will then choose the remaining four members of the team. As such Rivera will have to impress on both nights and see off competition from more seasoned campaigners. But even if she finishes in the top three, it will be hard for the Committee to look beyond the usual suspects to give Team USA their best chance for success in Paris.

A fan chimed in, “I feel that, considering the field of gymnasts available, it would be a weird and risky move to make the olympics her second ever senior intl meet,” highlighting how her lack of experience is a major concern for them. 

Agreeing with this statement, a fan noted, “I can’t see it unless she’s outscoring Kayla, Jade, and Jordan on floor both nights of trials. And if she’s doing that and hitting her other routines, she’d probably end up top 3 all around anyway.” Despite her stunning performances, many seemed to share the same opinion.

While fans agree that Rivera is talented enough, the names that can be on the sheet for USA’s Olympics team are much stronger and experienced. Simone Biles won four gold medals in 2016 at the Rio Olympics. Shilese Jones and Sky Blakely helped Team USA to win the World Championships last year in Antwerp, with Biles also on the team. Suni Lee won the all-around gold in Tokyo three years ago.

With such a star studded line up, fans find it hard to believe Rivera will make it to the team.

A fan expressed, “I personally don’t see her making the team this time not because she isn’t great, but the veterans are just overall stronger. I can’t wait to see how she fares next Quad leading up to LA2028.” Seeing how Rivera has previously encountered a minor bump she faced at the 2023 Junior World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, she would need more time to hone her skills for the Olympics.   

Hezly Rivera’s journey to achieving her Olympic dreams may not be as far-fetched, but the trials will truly be her biggest test yet. Earning a spot amongst the nation’s sports elite is no easy feat, but she has found her way into the big leagues now. 

Regardless of whether she makes the Olympic team or not, the 16-year-old prodigy has shown that she is on the cusp of achieving greatness. Sooner or later, she will be representing her country at the biggest event.