High school students typically use their long summer holidays to take a break after a demanding academic year. In rare cases, however, a summer break can also be the time to make history and win an Olympic gold medal—at just 16 years old. That was the case for Hezly Rivera.
Rivera was born and raised in New Jersey to Dominican parents and grew up much like other children in her community. She spent weekends at family gatherings and often visited her grandmother, who cooked her favorite Dominican dishes, including moro con carne and fried plantains with cheese.
As Rivera explained during an exclusive interview with The Latin Times, her life changed unexpectedly during a friend's birthday party.
"I was very young when I started doing gymnastics," Rivera said. "I was five years old and I was flipping all over the living room and my house. I would watch gymnastics shows with my sister and she would always tell my mom to put me in gymnastics. Then one day I went to my friend's birthday party at a gym and I was flipping around everywhere. The coaches saw me and told my parents to put me in gymnastics classes, so I went and I never left and have loved it ever since."
For the next 10 years, Rivera fully dedicated herself to her dream of becoming a professional gymnast. Her effort paid off in the summer of 2024 when she earned a place on the United States Olympic team that competed in the Paris 2024 Games.
Her commitment reached its defining moment on July 30, the hottest day of the 2024 Paris Olympics. She was part of the team that included Simone Biles, Sunisa Lee, Jordan Chiles and Jade Carey, a group nicknamed the Golden Girls. Together they made history by winning the team gold medal in women's artistic gymnastics.
Rivera said the entire day felt like a blessing.
"The night before I was actually pretty calm. I knew I had to be a support for my team and I was so blessed to be in that position, especially with the girls I looked up to ever since I was so young. To be on that team was such a blessing," she said.
"The morning of the event I did my usual routine. I did my makeup and put my leotard on just in case. I was mentally prepared in case something happened. I did my warmup and then I watched them compete and cheered them on. It was so fun to be at the Olympics and have that experience because it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I was soaking it all in at just 16 years old and I think it prepared me for the years to come."
When asked about the lessons she learned from competing alongside some of the best gymnasts in the world, Rivera said her teammates helped her trust her own talent.
"The Olympics were such a big learning experience for me and I grew so much from it. Just seeing how they train and how their minds work really helps me with this season because I am a veteran now. I know it is crazy to say, but I am a veteran. Seeing how they think and approach their challenges changed my perspective. They helped me stay calm and trust my gymnastics abilities and believe in myself because that is something I always struggled with," Rivera added.
"My confidence has increased so much from last year to this year. I see the difference in my training. Now that I have the experience and saw firsthand what it takes to reach that level, whenever I walk into practice I tell myself that I am an Olympic champion, so I should train and act like one," she said.
Like many athletes, Rivera has faced moments of doubt and questioned whether her dream was worth the struggle. She said her Latina identity and her parents' example keep her moving forward.
"I have had many moments when it is really hard to keep going. Gymnastics is one of the hardest sports in the world and it is all about your mindset. Your body will hurt, you will have bad days and you will have days when you feel like quitting, but that is when you have to dig deep. What has helped me is taking things one step at a time. My family has been amazing. My parents never gave up, so it runs in my blood and in my Dominican culture. I look up to my parents when I am in those moments."
Her struggles have been repaid in more ways than winning an Olympic gold medal. Rivera has also had opportunities most teenagers can only dream of. When asked about memorable moments outside the gym, Rivera said she could not pick just one.
"I have a few actually. Throwing the first pitch for the Texas Rangers, going to the White House, and going on tour," she said, referring to the Gold Over America tour, a gymnastics-themed show headlined by American artistic gymnast Simone Biles. "I never would have thought that I would be able to do that, but here I am."
Rivera has even met some of the world's most famous athletes.
"Probably the most famous person I have met is Steph Curry. I met him at the basketball house party after the Olympics and that was really really cool. And now I kind of want to meet LeBron James."
Beyond enjoying the results of her hard work, Rivera is also focused on participating in campaigns that give back to the community. Rivera partnered with Verizon for its Innovative Learning Lab campaign, which helps low income schools across the country become hubs of innovation and provides students with education and advanced technology.
"Seeing the excitement on the students' faces really brings me joy. I was very passionate about being involved in that mission. What makes this campaign so cool is that it is really focused on empowering students with new ways of learning through a completely free program," Rivera said. "It provides students with the free technology, internet access and innovative learning programs that help transform their learning experience."
Beyond her undeniable love for gymnastics, Rivera has other passions that help her take a break from a demanding schedule.
"I like to bake. I've enjoyed it ever since I was about 11, during quarantine. I also like to go shopping with my friends and play board games with my family. I don't always have time for these things because I'm in the gym around 33 hours a week, but they help me take my mind off gymnastics and prepare better," she said.
Rivera said she plans to earn a spot on Team USA for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. She committed to Louisiana State University in 2024 and intends to attend and compete in collegiate gymnastics after the Olympics.
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