At the Paris Olympics, there were a ton of athletes that emerged to the top step of the podium. Many of them were fan favorites, while some surprising athletes made it to the top due to their exceptional performances. While in gymnastics, Simone Biles was the top pick of the community; she was given a good battle by her Brazilian rival, Rebeca Andrade.

So what did the 25-year-old achieve at the coveted stage? Andrade was able to secure one gold, two silvers, and one bronze medal in floor exercise, vault, all-around, and team, respectively. Undoubtedly, Andrade experienced numerous memorable moments in Paris, but she recently recalled a particular one in which she showed her mother, Rosa Santos, a gesture of kindness.

Rebeca Andrade displays a strong bond with her mother

During the floor exercise final, it was a roller coaster moment for Rebeca Andrade. But what happened? It was one of the final events of the sport in the women’s category, and she was already due to secure an Olympic gold medal. In 2020 in Tokyo, she successfully secured a gold medal in the vault, but this time, it was the floor exercise that allowed her to shine.

Keeping Simone Biles in second place (14.133 points), the Brazilian gymnast was able to clinch the top step of the podium with 14.166 points. However, that just wasn’t it, as before Jordan Chiles got her bronze stripped, it was an “all-black podium,” making history in the sport. The American gymnasts also showcased sportsmanship to their Brazilian counterpart by bowing down to her with immense respect.

While all that was great, the moment Andrade got a chance, she immediately stormed to the stands and hugged her mother after the floor exercise finals. This was one of the most fascinating moments that she had in the Olympic Games, which she described during an interview with GQ, stating, “Finishing the competition and running to hug my mother was very meaningful.”

The Brazilian gymnast has been candid about her early life and the struggles she and her family had to go through due to poverty, especially her mother. Rosa Santos used to work as a maid and travel frequently, and the gymnast recalled how the physical burden would constantly tire her out. Despite managing eight children and sometimes struggling financially, Rosa never overlooked her daughter’s potential in gymnastics.

“Mom would borrow money so we’d have food… All the clothes I had came from people I knew,” Andrade recalled during her interview with CGTN America in the past. The problems that they went through together were also something that fueled her determination to achieve success so she could give her family a better life. However, during harsh times, the same set of people always backed her up, no matter what.

The Olympian’s biggest support system

There was a time when Rosa Santos, being a single mother to her eight children, struggled to get food for the family. However, the children were not a burden to manage, as they consistently provided emotional support to each other during their challenging times due to poverty. Rebeca Andrade, still after becoming a reputed gymnast, has good relations with her siblings, especially her three brothers, Yago, Igor, and Henrique, who helped Rebeca in her gymnastics journey and acted as a guiding light.

On the sets of Geral do Povo, a Brazilian talk show, Andrade’s sister Elisama went on to talk about the gymnast’s childhood, especially a bus ride where she revealed her gymnastics dreams. “When we came, we took the van, and there was a boy in the van who saw her all uniformed and said, ‘Where are you going?'” described the gymnast’s sister, as Rebeca replied, stating, “I’m going to train. I’m going to be a champion. I’m going to play in the Olympics. You’ll see, you’ll see me on TV.”

While some random person won’t believe it, the stranger put his faith in young Rebeca and encouraged her to train. He even covered their bus fare, a gesture that further fueled Rebeca’s determination, especially since her family was already struggling financially. According to her sister, these few supportive factors helped her achieve the accolades she currently holds, and they continue to thrive as a family. How do you feel about Andrade’s inspiring story? Tell us in the comment section below!