The Brazilian gymnastics star is easing back into training ahead of the 2025 World Championships after a historic showing at Paris 2024.

Two-time Olympic gold medallist Rebeca Andrade still has big dreams in artistic gymnastics.

“I’m not going to put a limit on my dreams, because I think that would be unfair after everything I’ve been through,” she told Olympics.com in an exclusive interview ahead of the Laureus Sport Awards, where she took home the Comeback of the Year win. “I have a lot of dreams and goals, but they might still be tucked away with me.

“What motivates me every day is knowing that it’s not just me who wants to be there, to achieve this goal, to have this dream – but my whole team,” Andrade continued. “Not just the girls, my coach, the staff, my family – who are my peace and also my team. So them believing in me, and us sharing the same goal, makes it all make sense for me to keep going.”

One of her first goals: the 2025 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Jakarta, Indonesia, set for October.

The training for that event is already well underway, says Andrade.

“I’m very calm, I’m not training hard [gymnastics elements] yet,” she explained. “The physiotherapy part is much more intense, and strength training too. But I’m still in the gym and we’re continuing to work, because you can’t stop.”

It’s a slightly more relaxed approach for the Brazilian star, who became her nation’s most decorated Olympian when she won four medals at the Olympic Games Paris 2024. She previously owned two medals from Tokyo 2020.

“It’s been very different. I’ve always had to train hard all the time, and now I can talk to my coach and say, ‘I need time for myself, I need to take care of my body and my mind,’ so that we can still have Rebeca in the future,” said Andrade, who is entering her fourth Olympic cycle.

It’s all part of a larger plan for an ambitious athlete who still has more to accomplish.

“It’s the desire to prove that I still have a bit more to show,” said Andrade.

Source: IOC