Hezly Rivera could become the next big name in USA gymnastics.
The summer buzz around Rivera is already growing, as the 16-year-old prepares for the 2024 Olympics after becoming an unexpected addition to Team USA in the attempt for gold in Paris.
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But it wasn't that long ago that Rivera was just another young girl looking up at Simone Biles, a four-time gold medal winner who is set to become the oldest US Olympic female gymnast since 1952 when the 2024 edition begins.
In fact, Rivera was in elementary school when she met Biles before the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Now, Rivera is a rising 16-year-old who could hold the key to Olympic gold for the 27-year-old Biles and Team USA.
“We’re really excited to kind of show her the ropes,” Biles said. “At least she doesn’t have to do it alone. She has four veterans that have been there before.”
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Sunisa Lee, Jade Carey and Jordan Chiles will join Biles in Paris.
But Rivera has the biggest young star potential.
She was supposed to spend this summer learning how to drive.
Instead, the New Jersey native finished in fifth place in the all-around and tied-for-first on the beam during the recent US Olympic trials, earning a place on a five-woman team.
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“I definitely love competing with the senior crowd and all the seniors,” Rivera said. “They’re all so sweet and supportive and always cheering you on, and the energy is just so big. So I really love that.”
She will be the only member of the team making an Olympic debut in Paris.
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After meeting Biles in elementary school, Rivera watched the 2016 Olympics at home as an eight-year-old.
Eight years later, a big performance from Rivera in Paris could push Team USA to the top.
“I can’t believe I’m part of this team,” Rivera said. “I never would have thought this would happen.”
She entered the Trials feeling like an underdog.
She answered the feelings by proving that she belonged on the world's biggest athletic stage.
"I’m so grateful to be here and to be called to the Olympic Team," Rivera said. "This has been my dream ever since I started when I was five.”
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Rivera started participating in gymnastics in 2013 and isn't scheduled to graduate high school until 2026.
"At the age of five I attended a friend's birthday party that was celebrated in a gymnastics facility," Rivera said. "The staff at the facility approached my parents and told them that they should try to have me try out for the team and that's what they did."
She loves shopping, math, Spy Kids 2 and the Mamba Mentality.
Her favorite meal was once listed as "rice and beans with chicken and avocado."
In July, the US gymnastics team will look to Rivera to stand tall in Paris.
Biles will need the best out of her new teammate for a new crew to beat everyone else in the 2024 Olympics.
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Rivera will look to her teammates to help guide her through the pressure of being a 16-year-old in a glaring spotlight with the world watching.
"They’ve been through the journey, they’ve been through the pressure," Rivera said. "They’ll be able to mentor me and help me so much, especially not just during the competition, but throughout the whole process.”