Paris Olympics 2024: Who is the youngest American athlete at Paris

Hezly Rivera will the youngest American athlete at Paris Olympics 2024.

There will be 592 American athletes competing at the Paris Olympics 2024. From these 592 athletes, Hezly Rivera at 16 years of age is the youngest athlete from her contingent. Rivera will be competing in artistic Gymnastics which will begin on July 27 and end on August 5.

Rivera turned 16 on June 4 this year and qualified for the Paris Olympics on June 30. She made it to the team after putting up an impressive performance at the US Olympic trials at Minnesota. Rivera was in her best form during the balance beam event.

The teenager had a score of 27.975 in the overall beam score which was tied with Joscelyn Roberson. Rivera finished fifth overall with a score of 111.150 points. She will join Simone Biles, Sunisa Lee, Jordan Chiles and Jade Carey at the Paris Olympics 2024.

Rivera had made the transition from junior to senior this year. She had won five gold medals, two silver medals and four bronze medals in the junior Gymnastics division. Rivera then made her senior debut this year.

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The prodigy entered her first senior level competition at the 2024 Winter Cup. She took the gold in balance beam champion and won the bronze medal in all-around and floor exercise. Rivera is coached by Valeri Liukin and Anna Liukin at the WOGA Gymnastics in Texas.

How did Hezly Rivera get into Gymnastics and who are her idols?

The young athlete had her first stint with the sport at age five during a friend’s birthday in a Gymnastics facility. 

The staff at the facility encourage her parents Henry Rivera and Heidy Ruiz to enroll her in classes. Rivera was initially trained by Maggie Haney and then joined WOGA Gymnastics.

Rivera would keep watching the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Olympics for inspiration. She continues to train six hours a day. Rivera considers Biles and Kobe Bryant as her idols. Bryant’s Mamba mentality is her favourite book.

Rivera will now be able to compete at Paris Olympics 2024 with Biles as her teammate. Her debut Olympics will surely provide her an unforgettable experience.

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