Life sometimes comes up with surprises when no one is expecting them. And after the 2024 US trials, Hezly Rivera will be glad that she was brave enough to pounce when her turn arrived. Rivera could not practically break into the Paris Olympic team. But then she saw the likes of Shilese Jones, Kayla DiCello, and Skye Blakely bow out due to injuries. With the adrenaline rushing inside her system, Rivera notched up a 111.150 all-around score to make the dream a reality. 

Surprisingly, the gymnastics origins of the 2x Junior World silver medalist trace back to an equally abrupt scenario. A five-year-old named Rivera went to a local gymnastics gym to enjoy a birthday party. But her childish tumbling caught the coaches’ eyes and, hence, commenced what would turn out to be a dream journey till now. Representing Team USA at just 16, Hezly Rivera recently doubled down on her fearless mindset. 

Hezly Rivera’s never-give-up attitude propels her to Olympic glitz

Hezly Rivera recently sat down with people for an exclusive interview. Brimming with childish vibrance, young Rivera struggled to put into words what it felt like to go to Paris at 16. Watching Skye Blakely, Kayla DiCello, and Shilese Jones leave the arena crying would have broken any random 16-year-old. For example, after being added as an alternate for Tokyo, Kayla DiCello looked all set for Paris. She won the Winter Cup this year and also thumped her way to third position all around in the US Championships. 

Competing at the US trials, DiCello attempted a double-twisting Yurchenko. Missing her landing completely, DiCello looked distraught as she suffered an Achilles tendon tear to end her Paris dreams. And while the injuries of prominent gymnasts were surely a shock for Rivera too, the teenager wanted to make sure that she would not slip. Reflecting on her mindset before the high-pressure trials, Rivera said, “My mindset was kind of like I had nothing to lose, so I told myself, ‘Just go out there and do what you’ve been doing in the gym.” Rivera also went on to elaborate that every time she performs a routine, in the back of her mind, she treats it like a final. While for most, that can be immense pressure, for Rivera, she thrives, which helps her bring out the best in herself.

Her fearless genes date right back to her initial childhood days. Having had the opportunity to train with the legendary Nastia Liukin’s parents, Rivera always found her routines to be ‘very easy’. In a recent SELF-interview, Rivera opened up about how she was initially tentative doing the aerial twists but later felt no jitters afterward. 

And now that Rivera has punched her ticket to Paris, the words, ‘With great powers comes great responsibility’ will surely be ringing in her mind. Taking on the responsibility of earning the gold for the nation, Hezly Rivera looked awestruck soon after her Olympic qualification. 

Rivera fulfills her childhood dream

The moment of glory still doesn’t seem to have sunk into Hezly Rivera’s mind. When NBC’s TODAY caught up with the teenager recently, the Olympian mentioned that the entire experience felt surreal to her. Rivera stated, “I cannot believe that I’m here right now. It’s just that all my hard work has been paying off. I’m so excited to represent Team USA at the Olympics.”

Rivera also mentioned that representing Team USA in the Olympics was a dream she had imbibed since she was 8 years old. Thus, with eyes fixated firmly on the gold, Hezly Rivera will be desperate to prove that her qualification was not a fluke. She belongs just as equally to the elite team of iconic stars as the likes of Shilese Jones, Skye Blakely, and Kayla DiCello do.