Brazilian gymnast Rebeca Andrade is all set to make a comeback to the sport after being on a nearly two-year hiatus following the Paris Olympics in 2024. The two-time Olympic gold medalist will compete only on vault next month at home during the 2026 Pan American Artistic Gymnastics Championships.

As reported by Olympics.com, it will take place at the Parque Olímpico - Arena Carioca 1 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from June 17-21, the same Arena where she made her Olympic debut at Rio 2016.

Since this Pan American tournament will serve as a qualifier for the 2026 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, a strong performance in the vault will help Andrade secure her return to the event.

The World Championship is scheduled to take place later this year at the Rotterdam Ahoy in the Netherlands, from October 17 to 25.

"It's been OK, one day at a time," she told Olympics.com during the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano, Italy. "I am very happy with the way things are happening, with such tranquility. I'm very excited for what's to come but always alert so that my body and mind are balanced."

The 27-year-old has already won a couple of world titles in vault in 2021 and 2023 in Kitakyushu, Japan, and Antwerp, Belgium, respectively. Her first Olympic gold medal also came on vault during Tokyo 2020.

Notably, in her last competitive appearance at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Andrade won the gold medal in the floor exercise ahead of legendary American gymnast Simone Biles. During the medal presentation, Biles bowed down to Andrade to show her respect and appreciation to the Brazilian for her incredible performance.

She also secured three more medals at the same Olympics, including the vault and all-around silver, apart from team bronze.

However, Andrade Has Not Addressed Knee Concerns She Had During Hiatus

In early February, 2026, Rebeca Andrade had opened up on her physical health concerns. When she was asked which sport she might have pursued other than gymnastics, she said:

" Figure skating! I'm certain of it!," Andrade said."But my knees are kind of 'eh' (laughs). But seriously, I was born for gymnastics, for real. I admire all the (winter) sports. I think they're all so complex and so difficult, but they're all so wonderful. Especially because it's so different from what I live on my side. "

She was in Milan after accepting the invitation to be at the opening ceremony for the Winter Games 2026 to carry the Olympic one of ten flag bearers.

"It's an honour for me. It speaks a lot about values, of what you represent to sport, not just to your country, but to other athletes in general and to all the people who admire sports and who are here, supporting and cheering," she said.

Fast forward to now, do you think Rebeca Andrade will win the vault event on her comeback during the Pan American tournament at home next month? Tell us in the comments.

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Written by

Arjun Sharma

Edited by

Kaamna Dwivedi