On the gym stage, Rebeca Andrade appears ready and determined to perform an impeccable sequence. In that moment, it’s just her, her body and her mind. But behind every movement, Rebeca recognizes the essential support of her family, friends and technical team. “No one gets anywhere alone”, says Brazil’s greatest Olympic medalist.
By her side, the 25-year-old has a powerful support network that she never fails to mention in her interviews. It all starts with your family. Daughter of Rosa Santos, a single mother who raised Rebeca and seven other children in Vila Fátima, in Guarulhos, Greater São Paulo, the athlete learned the value of resilience early on.
From the examples of efforts coming from her mother over the years, Rebeca says that her upbringing was based on humility. “I have different values, my mother taught me many, many things, but for my life today, humility and respect for everyone is one of the things I use most”, he says.
With a small age difference between the brothers, family games were constant. “I always remember playing a lot with my brothers, going to training, feeding me, taking me to school, helping me with everything I needed”, he says.
When Rosa was working, it was up to Emerson, the second son, to take Rebeca to the Bonifácio Cardoso gym. Still, his mother’s support was never lacking. “Even though she worked so hard, she was always available to help, always with lots of love and care.”
I have different values, my mother taught me many, many things, but for my life today, humility and respect for everyone is one of the things I use most
Building the path to success was not easy. Giving up has crossed his mind several times, especially after three serious injuries to his right knee. She just didn’t throw in the towel thanks to the support of her family and her entire team, such as coach Chico Porath and psychologist Aline Wolff. She also clung to the knowledge that she could still stand on many podiums. “I wanted to show the world all the potential and the gift that God gave me.”
At the Paris 2024 Olympics, Rebeca consolidated this potential, becoming the Brazilian athlete with the most Olympic medals: six in total, including two gold, three silver and one bronze. His achievements made Brazil smile and get emotional. “I’ve learned a lot over the years, both professionally and personally, and I take these lessons not only into my sporting life, but into my life after sport.”
One of the most memorable moments was when Simone Biles, the greatest gymnast in the world, and Jordan Chiles bowed to Rebeca on the floor podium — that day, made up only of black athletes. “We were there representing, not only each of our nations, but also representing many people who, sometimes, don’t have the opportunity”, he states. “Making people believe that it’s possible and keep dreaming is something very, very significant.”
The excellence she displayed at the Games saw the young woman win the Todas Award in two categories: Sport and Personality of the Year.
Discover the Todas Award
Distinction, created by the Todas initiative, awards women in eight areas of knowledge, divided into the categories of Science and Technology, Culture, Economy, Education, Clean Energy, Sport, Public Policy and Health. The person of the year was also chosen. Winners were elected by a jury made up of journalists, businesswomen, activists, academics and members of the third sector.
With this history and the prominence that accompanies it, it is difficult to maintain humility. But Rebeca’s gymnast and teammate, Lorrane Oliveira, guarantees that this is one of the athlete’s qualities. “I’ve been following her since before her fame, since before all of her new titles. And she only improves every year mentally”, he says. “Simple, humble, an incredible woman, a warrior who doesn’t give up on her dreams and keeps going after them.”
Lorrane met Rebeca in 2008, but they only started getting closer in 2011, when the latter joined the Clube de Regatas do Flamengo. Their friendship grew and they even started calling each other twins. In Rio, the athletes lived together and found that, in addition to talent, they share peculiarities, such as a lack of charisma in the morning. “We arrive at the gym, say good morning and that’s it. We start talking more as the training progresses”, jokes Lorrane.
Conversation during training pays off. “No one can stop us, because gossip is all day long”, he says between laughs. “We talk a lot, and Chico is left to die.”
Her friend’s rhythm, says Lorrane, is unique. “Rebeca is unusual. She arrives, does her training in an hour and a half and is done. And I have to fight, because she stays talking to me for hours while I’m still on the first machine.”
Just as Rebeca receives a lot of support, she also motivates her colleagues. “If I didn’t have her in my daily life, in my routine, I don’t know what I would do. I don’t know if I would still be in gymnastics, if I would be happy”, says the friend.
Another striking characteristic of Rebeca is her calmness before tests, which makes her “outside the box”, as Lorrane says. While other athletes warm up intensely from one side to the other, Rebeca remains calm and tries to pass this on to the team. “She says she just needs to have her hands and feet warm, and she’s ready.”
This serenity was achieved over the years and, in a way, influenced his decision to study psychology, mainly due to the way his psychologist works. “I like meeting people and helping. Maybe this comes from my empathy and the desire to make a difference in other ways too”, says Rebeca.
The athlete inspires a new generation of girls, who want to enter or succeed in artistic gymnastics — just as she was impacted by the performance of veteran Daiane dos Santos. This year, Rebeca received a tribute from Mattel, which made a Barbie in her likeness.
It may be that the gymnast changes her mind in the future, but, at this moment, what she wants is “to make people believe, to dream and to feel that they are capable of achieving, regardless of their age and whatever dream they have , as long as they pursue it and always have the support of good people who also believe in their potential.”
Rebeca doesn’t know what her future will be in gymnastics, but she works to always be innovative. “It’s something that really makes my eyes shine,” he says. “I like new things, new experiences, challenges.”
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