Rebeca Andrade, Brazil’s top Olympic gymnast, got real about the physical demands of gymnastics on Bola da Vez . Andrade, known for her gold medal performances, is dialing back on floor exercises due to the intense pain and energy they require from her.
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In her interview, Andrade discussed her decision to step back from the floor, citing the unbearable stress it puts on her body. “I love the sport, but the floor routine just takes too much out of me,” she said.
However, she’s not hanging up her leotards just yet. Andrade plans to continue competing in other events like vaults and beams that are easier on her body. “I’m taking a break from the floor, but I’m not out of the game,” she added, leaving the door open for a possible return to more intensive routines in the future.
Her illustrious Olympic journey includes two golds and six medals in total from just two Olympic Games, showcasing her exceptional talent. But achieving those medals has come at a high cost. Andrade wakes up some mornings barely able to walk or climb stairs without pain. She avoids painkillers as they only mask her symptoms, opting instead for continuous physical therapy to cope with the discomfort.
É OUROOOOOOO PARA A MAIOR MEDALHISTA OLÍMPICA DO BRASIL! 🇧🇷
Rebeca Andrade conquista o ouro na final individual do solo e eterniza o seu nome entre as realezas do esporte. 👑
São quatro medalhas em #Paris2024 e mais duas em #Tóquio2020. No Brasil, ninguém subiu ao pódio… pic.twitter.com/rrJKEpx0oM
— Time Brasil (@timebrasil) August 5, 2024
The emotional toll was evident when she spoke about her recent experience at the Paris Olympics. After her floor routine, her tears were not of joy but of relief for doing it through without injuries. “Those tears were because I made it out alive, not because of the medal,” she explained.
