Rebeca Andrade makes Brazilian history by winning gold in Paris 2024 Olympic Games
Rebeca Andrade makes Brazilian history by winning gold in Paris 2024 Olympic Games in floor final
PARIS, Aug 5 – Rebeca Andrade’s incredible journey culminated in a historic moment for Brazil as the 25-year-old gymnast clinched the gold medal in the floor exercise at the Paris Olympics. This victory not only solidified her status as Brazil’s most decorated Olympian but also marked the perfect ending to an exceptional competition for the São Paulo native.
Andrade had already led her country to its first-ever team artistic gymnastics medal, a bronze, and secured silver in both the individual all-around and the vault events. However, her most stunning achievement came when she bested her rival, Simone Biles, by a mere 0.033 points to win gold in the floor exercise. Sharing the podium with Biles, who took silver, and Jordan Chiles, who earned bronze, Andrade’s triumph was a moment of immense pride for Brazil. During the podium, Biles and Chiles decided to bow to Andrade – a moment that quickly became viral online.
Simone Biles expressed her admiration for Andrade, stating, “Rebeca, she’s so amazing, she’s queen. It was an all-Black podium, so that was super exciting for us. But then Jordan was like, ‘Should we bow to her?’ I told her absolutely. So that’s why we did it.” Andrade later shared her own sentiments with journalists, saying, “They are the best in the world. So a scene like that means a lot to me. It’s so grand, and I feel so honored. We are always rooting for the best for all.”
Andrade’s path to glory is a story of resilience and determination. Raised in a favela in the outskirts of Guarulhos, São Paulo, she was one of eight children brought up by a single mother. Her introduction to gymnastics was almost serendipitous: her aunt was working at a gymnasium when tryouts were being held, and she took Andrade along.
Her natural talent was immediately recognized, and after impressing judges at the 2009 Junior Pan-American Games, Andrade was invited to train professionally at the Paraná Center for Excellence in Gymnastics. This opportunity required her to move to Paraná, away from her family. She was able to keep training thanks to the “sports initiation” program funded by the city of Guarulhos, which provides sports scholarships to children from underserved backgrounds. By age 11, she had joined the junior gymnastics team at Flamengo, one of Brazil’s premier gymnastics clubs, where she has now trained for the past 14 years.
Rebeca Andrade’s journey from a favela to Olympic fame is a powerful testament to her resilience and determination. Her success is an inspiration to many in Brazil, demonstrating the transformative power of sport and the possibility of achieving a better life through sport and dedication.
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