And that’s the place Rivera stepped up: “My favourite occasion is bars,” she tells SELF. “It looks like I’m flying. The swing of it simply comes very naturally to me.” She got here in fourth at that occasion on the Trials, behind Olympians Lee, Biles, and Chiles, and confirmed that she will put up a strong routine that the group can depend on in Paris.

6. She’ll be the youngest Olympian on Staff USA.

Staff USA’s Paris roster consists of three 16-year-olds—Rivera, skateboarder Paige Heyn, and sprinter Quincy Wilson (the youngest male ever to affix the Olympic observe group)—however Rivera nabs the distinction of being the youngest of the trio. In response to NBC Sports activities, Worldwide Gymnastics Federation guidelines require feminine athletes to have turned 16 within the Olympic 12 months as a way to be eligible to compete there.

7. She’s on the health club six days every week.

Rivera trains Monday by means of Saturday, and doubles up on Mondays by means of Thursdays. Throughout her summer season schedule, apply runs from 8:00 to 11:30 a.m., after which once more from 2:00 to five:00 p.m. Throughout the faculty 12 months—Rivera attends highschool courses on-line—the second session goes from 3:00 to six:00 p.m. as an alternative. She has only one exercise on Friday and Saturdays, so she’s accomplished by midday.

“I believe it’s a tricky, onerous week, however Saturday and Sunday are positively good days to recoup,” Rivera says. “And actually, I like our schedule.”

8. When she must unwind, Rivera turns to baking.

Rivera admittedly doesn’t have a variety of time to move to the kitchen, however one factor she at all times enjoys is baking. “I solely do field mixes, which I do know isn’t actually baking, but it surely’s nonetheless enjoyable,” she says. Her faves? Crimson velvet and chocolate desserts. She solely bakes as soon as each few months, however nonetheless, “it’s a pleasant passion for me.”

Generally, although, she’s within the temper for one thing much more chill: “I prefer to spend time with my canine and lay down and simply relaxation, after which take a great bathe and have a great dinner and simply get better and recoup,” she says.

9. She will be able to get good sleep anyplace.

Adjusting to the time distinction in Paris may make high quality shut-eye tough, however Rivera isn’t too anxious that she’ll be tossing and turning. “I get good sleep whereas I’m touring or away from residence,” she says. Sticking to a routine helps—and so does kicking gymnastics out of her thoughts.

“I at all times pray earlier than I am going to mattress, and that helps me loads,” Rivera says. “I additionally attempt to not take into consideration gymnastics, as a result of occupied with it on a regular basis is just not good and it’s overwhelming.” She’ll often fireplace up some tunes, watch one thing on YouTube, or get some mates collectively to play playing cards.

“Any video games to get my thoughts off of the health club may be very useful,” she says. “I simply attempt to fall asleep with the clean headspace and never overthink.”

10. She’s excited to have Olympic veterans in her nook.

Rivera would be the solely gymnast on the Olympic group who hasn’t already gone to the Video games, and she or he considers the chance to study from all of them “one of the best factor ever.”

“They’ve been by means of all of this earlier than they usually know what to anticipate already,” she says. “So I believe they’re simply going to be such nice function fashions for me throughout my first Video games.”

Now that she’s heading to the Olympic stage, likelihood is she’s going to make the swap from function mannequin seeker to function mannequin herself. And he or she has some recommendation she’d prefer to share with the younger crop of gymnasts who could also be watching.

“Consider in your self on a regular basis and hold dreaming large, as a result of while you work onerous, you’ll be able to obtain something that you really want in life,” she says. “However at all times keep in mind to have enjoyable with what you’re doing as effectively.”

Extra reporting by Lauren Alberti.

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