Hezly Rivera of Oradell made the U.S. Olympic gymnastics squad late Sunday evening, joining Simone Biles, Suni Lee, Jordan Chiles and Jade Carey ― four athletes who were also on the team for the Tokyo games in 2021.
Joscelyn Roberson and Leanne Wong will travel to Paris in July as alternates.
Rivera, who is the youngest member of the team at age 16, has earned two first place all around finishes as a junior at national competitions, most recently at the 2023 U.S. Gymnastics Championships in San Jose, California. She took another all-around at the 2023 Winter Cup.
PARIS OLYMPICS:When are Opening Ceremonies? Your questions answered
In 2024 at the Winter Cup, she finished third in the all around, but grabbed a gold medal on the balance beam.
When the team was announced after the trials ended in Minneapolis, Rivera said she was “ecstatic” about making the team and credited her family and the sacrifices she and other have made to achieve this goal.
Men’s U.S. Olympic gymnastic team
The men’s gymnastic team is also set, with Frederick Richard, Brody Malone, Paul Juda, Asher Hong, Stephen Nedoroscik and alternates Shane Wiskus and Khoi Young going to Paris.