“Strength, joy, perseverance, resilience, love: I think everything I am comes from my mother,” admitted Rebeca Andrade, Paris Olympics Gold medalist, and Latin America’s most decorated gymnast with nine world medals and six Olympic medals. Last year, clinching the gold medal in floor exercise, Andrade surpassed the likes of Torben Grael and Robert Scheidt. Touted then as Simone Biles’ arch-rival, Andrade was considered in contention for the all-around gold. And while that did not materialize, Paris had already seen Andrade become a star.
Through all of it, Andrade could not help but acknowledge the sacrifices made in her pursuit of glory. And there’s one figure central to it all – her mother, Rosa Santos. When the world hardly knew of ‘Daianinha’ or Little Daiane, Rosa knew: her daughter, Rebeca Andrade could be the next Daiane dos Santos, the first South American and first Black gymnast to win gold at the World Championships. And she was determined to let the little girl dream so big, that one day, she’d have to let her leave the home at the age of 10.
Andrade did not come from a rich household. Instead, it was quite the opposite. Struggling to make ends meet, Santos gave it her all, working as a domestic worker while raising eight children – all on her own! And in a recent interview with Elle, Andrade reminisced the days of her childhood – the small but lively house they lived in.
Andrade may be world-famous now, but the gymnast hasn’t forgotten where she was raised. Santos reports keenly, “Andrade remembers one of the homes they shared—a single bedroom and a wide bed for her mother and two of her younger brothers, a spacious living room where Rebeca and her other siblings slept, and a backyard where the children wrestled, played hide-and-seek, and pretended they were circus artists.”
Rebeca Andrade with Olympic Gold Medal after winning the womens artistic gymnastics floor at the Olympic Games, Olympische Spiele, Olympia, OS Paris 2024 at Arena Bercy in Paris, France. Richard Callis/SPP PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxBRAxMEX Copyright: xRichardxCallis/SPPx spp-en-RiCa-RM4_richiecallis_05082024g-5537
In heavy contrast were the houses Andrade’s mother worked in – spaces so big, and so many rooms that young Rebeca would often lose count. If nothing else, these, formed her vision of aspiration, where her mother gave her perspective: “Our simple life gives us everything we need, but we have the right to dream and seek more.” With those simple words in mind, the Brazilian soldiered on. Now she looks back with maturity, reflecting on her mother’s impact: “She wanted to give us the best, and she gave us her best.”
Gymnastics was the clearest choice out. With her natural athleticism and access to a free gym program, the hide-and-seeks and circus imitations soon transformed into discipline tumbles and controlled somersaults. She understood that gymnastics was the key to her standing out amidst the mass. “But I felt and saw that I had the potential to be a standout at gymnastics. And I love gymnastics. I really wanted to keep practicing this sport. I really wanted to change my life and to have the chance to change my family’s life, too,” said Andrade. Meanwhile, not only her mother, a community of strong women inspired Rebeca Andrade to reach the stars and shine bright on the Olympic stage.
How Rebeca Andrade’s journey was shaped by a community of strong women
Rebeca Andrade’s rise to gymnastics greatness has been powered not only by her immense talent. But also by the unwavering strength of the women who have shaped her life. While her mother remains the foundation of her resilience and joy, Andrade draws strength and inspiration from a broader circle of powerful women. Young Rebeca has been inspired by her sister, her teammates, and Brazil’s trailblazing gymnast, Daiane dos Santos.
Rebeca shared with Olympics.com, “My mother, my sister, the girls who are always with me on the national team, and my idol, Dai. All of them, for their strength, resilience, explosiveness, joy, and beauty. They have always taught me to love myself and to be strong.” It was dos Santos’ historic gold medal on floor exercise at the 2003 World Championships that showed Rebeca what was possible. Seeing a Black Brazilian gymnast at the top of the sport gave her the confidence to dream bigger and push harder.
Years later, Andrade recognized that she had become that figure of inspiration for others. “I think today I am someone who inspires, someone people look up to and admire,” she said. And Rebeca carries this responsibility with pride and gratitude, understanding the impact of her success on the next generation. Just as dos Santos once lit the path for her, Andrade now embraces the role of motivating young gymnasts with the same strength and grace she learned from those before her.
Andrade’s success is more than a personal triumph – even more so because it’s a testament to the strength of the women who have surrounded her, guided her, and inspired her. From her mother’s resilience to dos Santos’ groundbreaking achievements, Rebeca’s journey to the highest pedestal reflects the lasting influence of those who once paved the way for her.
The post Raised by Single Mother, Olympic Gold Medalist Rebeca Andrade Opens Up About Difficult Living Situation appeared first on EssentiallySports.
