Hezly Rivera, just 16 years old, is already heading to the 2024 Summer Games in Paris. She has taken the gymnastics world by storm, becoming the youngest gymnast to qualify for the Paris Olympics. Hezly is part of a star-studded Olympic team featuring veterans like Simone Biles, Suni Lee, Jordan Chiles, and Jade Carey. Growing up in Oradell, near her birthplace in Hackensack, New Jersey, Hezly was only six when she began her gymnastics journey.

She has often spoken about the sacrifices made by her family and how they have always rallied behind her. Before she flies off to France in a bid to win medals for the USA, let’s take a closer look at the family that has been her unwavering support system.

Meet rising gymnast Hezly Rivera’s parents

Hezly Rivera was born to parents Henry Rivera and Heidy Ruiz. Henry, originally from the Dominican Republic, moved to the USA to pursue his education at Union Hill High School in New Jersey. He later earned a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering from the Stevens Institute of Technology in 2002. The family settled in New Jersey. Henry is currently a senior director and testing engineer at Medidata Solutions, a Dassault Systèmes company. Hezly’s mother is Puerto Rican, and she gave birth to Hezly on June 4, 2008. The couple also has a son named Hanley.

The couple has encouraged her gymnastics aspirations ever since she was 6 years old and showed interest in the sport. The family has made many sacrifices to advance Hezly’s career. When her talent first became apparent, the family moved to Texas so Hezly could train in WOGA under the guidance of Valeri and Anna Liukin who have an Olympian daughter themselves. Heidy Ruiz’s Facebook profile is full of pictures of Hezly Rivera on the mat, focused on her routine, clearly showcasing her admiration for her daughter.

Rivera’s father is her biggest supporter

Henry Rivera has become synonymous with Hezly Rivera’s success. On the final day of the Olympic team trials, when Hezly’s name was called out, Henry broke into tears. A clip of him wiping tears from his eyes while recording the moment on his phone went viral. Two years ago, when Hezly competed in a Jr. Elite USA Gymnastics event for the first time and qualified for the USA Jr. Women’s National team, Henry made a heartwarming post about it on his LinkedIn.

There he wrote, “My daughter’s hard work is paying off. Words cannot describe the emotions that I am currently feeling.” He described how for 3 years she could not participate due to COVID, injuries, and surgeries but she finally overcame them to qualify for the DTB POKAL team. He ended the post by calling Hezly his “hero.” After Hezly’s Olympics qualification, he told NBC Olympics, that he “Can’t Describe everything that is going through my head. It’s the biggest joy in the world.” Hezly Rivera’s father’s pride in her has been evident throughout her journey so far.