Gymnast Rebeca Andrade, the largest Olympic medalist in Brazil’s history, announced on Tuesday (12) that she will no longer compete in the soil test. The statement was made during Rio Innovation Week, an event that takes place at Pier Mauá, Rio de Janeiro.
The decision, according to the athlete, was motivated by constant pain and the need to take care of health after five right knee surgeries.
“The soil is the proof that most impact. I am 26 years old and a history of many knee surgeries. Therefore, it is essential to respect the limits of my body,” explained Rebeca.
She acknowledged that the public likes to see her on the ground, but assured that she can still show a lot in other modalities of artistic gymnastics.
Since 2015, Rebeca underwent three right knee surgeries after breaking the anterior cruciate ligament (LCA). The problem reappeared in 2017, when it needed another surgical intervention.
In 2019, on the eve of the Pan American Lima, she again felt pain and had to do another surgery.
Rebeca conquests
At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Rebeca won four medals, including gold in the ground. With this result, it became the largest Olympic medalist in Brazil, surpassing icons such as Robert Scheidt and Torben Grael.
In total, the gymnast adds six Olympic medals. In Tokyo 2020, he gained gold in jump and silver in the general individual. In Paris 2024, he won gold in the ground, silver in the general general, silver in the jump and bronze by teams.
Laura Basílio, under supervision of Thiago San
