At 24, Rebeca Andrade has already made history in artistic gymnastics. At the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, she became Brazil’s first Olympic medalist in the sport (with a gold medal in vault and silver in the all-around), and also the first woman in the country to win two medals in one edition of the Olympic Games. Her achievements go beyond this. To find out more, check out the interview between the gymnast and 11-year-old junior reporter Beatriz M..

When did you start taking gymnastics classes?

I started when I was about five years old, in a project in Guarulhos (SP state), where I lived. An aunt took me to find out more about it. I used to jump from one side to the other, do somersaults, hang on to things, climb bunk beds, and she thought that I might like artistic gymnastics. She was right, and it was gymnastics that brought me here. I owe everything to the sport.

What was it like to get first place at the Olympics?

It’s hard to explain the feeling and the joy. First there was the silver medal, and that was very important, because it was the first one, and because of how it came in the all-around, taking all the apparatuses into consideration. Then came the gold (medal), a very pleasant and different sensation that makes you feel certain that it was all worth it. I was very happy to be able to share this achievement with so many people who cheered for me, supported me, believed in me, with all Brazilian people… Each person has a little piece of those medals.

What was the process like to get to the Tokyo Olympics in 2020?

It was very difficult. I had another serious knee injury and had to rush through recovery to try to qualify. Then… the pandemic came. And it changed everyone’s life. In my case, the pandemic actually helped a bit. Even though it was a very difficult period for the whole world, as Olympics were delayed, I was able to qualify and had more time to prepare.

What do you like the most about gymnastics?

Gymnastics is my life. It helped me a lot in my development, in achieving everything I have achieved, in fulfilling dreams, making friends, it gave me everything I have. I am very grateful to my mother and my brothers for trusting and believing that this girl who left her home could pursue her dreams (…).

How do your practice sessions work?

I practice every day, twice a day, on apparatuses and in the gym, physical therapy. (…) The practice is tough because we are always seeking our best performances. In gymnastics, a tiny detail can place you in competition for a medal or get you out of a final.

Which part of your life as an athlete do you find most challenging?

An athlete’s life is not easy. To compete with the best in the world, you need a lot of dedication, commitment, sweat, and a very strong support network to help you achieve your goals. I love gymnastics, so I try to make practice, the most difficult moments, trips and competitions more fun, lighter. (…) And a tough part are the injuries (…). Injuries are the biggest obstacles in an athlete’s life; it’s what makes them stop, and often rethink, they can affect your confidence, and put an end to your dreams. It’s the worst opponent.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to become an athlete?

I think it’s not just for those who want to become athletes, but for everyone. Study, be dedicated, dream, and go after it. Nothing is impossible, and no one can set limits to your goals. I wanted to be a gymnast, I dedicated myself a lot, gave up a lot, and I don’t regret anything. (…) Not everyone will become an athlete, but everyone can, in some way, work with sports. You could be a teacher, a physiotherapist, a doctor, a journalist… And if it’s not in sports, no problem, just keep on always searching for happiness.

What are your plans now?

I’m coming back from the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Antwerp, Belgium, which was historic for our country. We, the women’s team, were able to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics, we stepped onto the podium as a team and in individual events [Rebeca won gold, three silvers, and a bronze medal], and we came out proud and happy. Now it’s time to rest a little because we have the Pan American Games in Santiago ahead of us. (…) We will practice hard to represent Brazil well.

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