Immortality. It’s not what athletes strive for, but it’s what they achieve on the path to becoming legends. And Rebeca Andrade’s story is nothing short of legendary, destined for immortality – both metaphorically and physically.
Regardless of where you come from, your financial situation, or your color, you have to believe in yourself and not let anyone stop you from achieving your goals.”
If you think about it, this is similar to the message of another role model that many have looked up to: Barbie.
Financial struggles, leaving home when she was 10, or 3 ACL injuries.
Nothing could’ve stopped the 25-year-old from becoming one of the most inspiring athletes in the world, especially for budding gymnasts in Brazil.
On the day after Andrade won the Olympic gold in the floor exercise – narrowly defeating Simone Biles – 14-year-old trainee Manuela Kriegel said while looking at a mural of Andrade at the Bonifácio Cardoso gym: “This is outdated now.”
