"I think my form sets me apart" - Confident Hezly Rivera banks on her abilities to help Team USA at Paris Olympics 2024

By Anirudh

Modified Jul 23, 2024 12:56 GMT

Hezly Rivera has expressed confidence in her abilities ahead of her Olympic debut in Paris. The 16-year-old became a household name after making a mark at the Olympic Trials in Minnesota, which saw her named in Team USA's squad for the Summer Games.

Ahead of the quadrennial event, Rivera spoke about her strengths and gave her thoughts on how she could help her team in Paris. She said (via People):

“My strengths that I bring to Team USA are my bars and my beam because I think my form sets me apart. I think I'm a very clean gymnast. I have some difficulty — obviously not the highest difficulty — but I'm working my way up there and I think that my execution really sets me apart.”

Rivera has shown that she can seize any opportunity that comes her way. With the likes of Skye Blakely, Shilese Jones and Kayla DiCello unable to take part in the Olympic Trials due to injury, she showed all the right moves and caught everyone by surprise.

“My mindset [during the trials] 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,'” she added.

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“An incredible experience and such an honor” - Hezly Rivera excited to represent Team USA at Paris Olympics

Hezly Rivera was introduced to gymnastics when she attended a friend's birthday party at the age of five. Since then, she has worked hard to grow as an athlete and make a career in the sport.

Hezly Rivera at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Gymnastics Trials in Minneapolis, Minnesota | Getty Images

At the Paris Olympics, Rivera will be the youngest American athlete. Despite her tender years, she is excited at the opportunity to represent her country on the biggest stage.

“It's insane. It is such an honor because I've always said, 'I want to wear that [leotard] and compete at the Olympics.' So now that it's actually here and it's real and I've achieved my dreams, that's so incredible. I'm so happy, and honestly, unboxing the leos brought me so much joy because I made it and I'm here to represent my team, USA, so it's such an incredible experience and such an honor.” she said.

Rivera will be joined by Suni Lee, Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey and Simone Biles on Team USA's gymnastics squad in Paris.