‘Proud of Myself’: Rebeca Andrade Speaks Out After Gold Medal Success at Pan American Championship
Aug 1, 2024; Paris, France; Rebeca Andrade of Brazil celebrates her silver medal in the womens gymnastics all-around during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Bercy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jack Gruber-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 1, 2024; Paris, France; Rebeca Andrade of Brazil celebrates her silver medal in the womens gymnastics all-around during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Bercy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jack Gruber-USA TODAY Sports
Returning to the competitive realms after two years and still taking the gold back home, once again, Rebeca Andrade proved why she’s the most decorated Brazilian Olympian.
At the 2026 Pan American Games in her home country, the 27-year-old defied age and the laws of physics to post a total score of 14.266 on Vault, the only apparatus she competed on. And surely, this made her return even more special.
"I'm proud of myself for my return, for the way it went,” she said earlier this week, according to Olympic.com’s Scott Bregman. “We'll take it step by step. I think the biggest challenge is confidence; this return was hard-won, very difficult, but it has been rewarding.”
Aug 3, 2024; Paris, France; Rebeca Andrade of Brazil celebrates her silver medal on the vault on the first day of gymnastics event finals during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Bercy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jack Gruber-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 3, 2024; Paris, France; Rebeca Andrade of Brazil celebrates her silver medal on the vault on the first day of gymnastics event finals during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Bercy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jack Gruber-USA TODAY Sports
Andrade’s last professional appearance was at the 2024 Paris Games, where she earned 4 Olympic medals. Although she eyed a comeback next year, personal reasons delayed it. But just when she thought a retirement was coming, things took a turn for the better.
"I thought I would be retired! I swear,” the 27-year-old admitted. “But after the editions of the Games, I can show more of what I am capable of doing. And I feel more motivated to go forward."
The Pan Am serves as the qualifier for the 2026 World Championship, set for 17-25 June, in Rotterdam, Netherlands. And Andrade will head to the event with a bigger goal in her mind.
Rebeca Andrade Eyes LA28 as Final Goal
So far, Andrade has a total of 6 Olympic medals across 3 appearances (2016 Rio Games, 2020 Tokyo Games and 2024 Paris Games). But she’ll attempt to increase the number, should her body comply at the age of 29.
“I really want to contribute to qualify our team to LA28…” she said in February 2026, according to Olympic.com’s Scott Bregman. “I really want to compete again. It’s every athlete’s favourite part of the whole process, right? But I can’t rush things or get ahead of myself.”
For now, Andrade is one step closer to making that dream a reality, pushing Brazil to the Olympics and marking her 4th appearance in the event. But first, she’ll need to champion the 2026 Worlds.
Do you think she’ll succeed? Let us know in the comments.
Follow Gymnastics Digest for more.
Written by
Deblina Roy