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16-Year-Old Dominican Hezly Rivera Joins Team USA for Paris Olympics
Meet Hezly Rivera
A little over a month ago, Hezly Rivera celebrated her 16th birthday. As she blew out the candles on her cake, she made a wish that would soon change her entire summer. She planned to get her driver’s license over the holidays, but instead, she found herself qualifying as one of the five athletes representing the United States in gymnastics at the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics.
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Hezly, a Dominican-American from Hackensack, New Jersey, is now headed to Paris. At just 16 years old, she’s set to compete alongside big names like Simone Biles in the Summer Olympics, which will begin on July 26th, with gymnastics starting on July 27th.
Her journey to the team was unexpected. She entered the Olympic gymnastics trials not just as an underdog, but as a longshot. Her calm demeanor and standout performance, coupled with injuries to three top gymnasts, opened a door for her, and she seized the opportunity.
Hezly, the daughter of Domincans Henry and Heidy Rivera, had her sights set on the Olympic Games, but she and her family were initially focused on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. However, fate had different plans, and she found herself preparing for Paris instead.
During the trials, Simone Biles secured the only automatic spot by finishing first. The other four athletes were chosen by the selection committee, and Hezly’s strong performances on bars and beams made her an obvious choice. She scored at least 13.700 on all her routines, securing fifth place overall.
Joining Simone Biles, Suni Lee, Jade Carey, and Jordan Chiles, Hezly is now part of a formidable team. Despite her young age, she has an impressive resume. She’s a two-time Junior World silver medalist and the 2024 Winter Cup balance beam champion, making her the youngest member of Team USA for the 2024 Olympics overall.
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Hezly Rivera’s Road to the Paris Olympics
Hezly’s journey in gymnastics began at the age of 5 when she attended a birthday party at a gymnastics facility. Her talent was immediately noticed, and the staff suggested her parents enroll her in classes. Her passion for the sport grew as she watched the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2012 London Olympics repeatedly.
When she was 7, Hezly met Simone Biles before Biles competed in the 2016 Rio Olympics. Eight years later, Biles, now 27, plans to mentor Hezly as they compete together in Paris.
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Hezly has already achieved a lot in her career. She was the balance beam champion at the 2024 Winter Cup in Louisville, Kentucky, and also took home bronze in the all-around and floor exercise. In 2023, she secured first place in balance beam, floor exercise, and all-around at the Winter Cup’s junior division and won second place in the floor exercise at the 2023 Junior World Championships.
Her performance at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials earned her a spot in the exclusive club of first-year seniors making the Olympic team since 1982. Hezly now joins the ranks of Laurie Hernandez, Kyla Ross, Courtney McCool, Brandy Johnson, and Chelle Stack.
At just 16, Hezly Rivera is ready to make her mark on the world stage, representing her country with pride and determination in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
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