Gymnastics: Olympic champion Rebeca Andrade announces she will no longer compete on floor

Her individual gold medal in the floor event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games provided one of the most memorable images of the fortnight. Upon reaching the top step of the podium, Rebeca Andrade was greeted with a bow by her American runners-up, the sport's legend Simone Biles (2nd) and Jordan Chiles (3rd) – who has since had her bronze medal stripped in favor of Romania's Ana Barbosu .

The Brazilian announced, on Tuesday, August 12, at a press conference, her definitive withdrawal from the specialty, explaining that she wanted to preserve her health in view of the next Olympic Games, organized in Los Angeles (California), in the summer of 2028. "The ground is what causes the most impact," she argued.

"I'm a 26-year-old athlete with five knee surgeries," said Rebeca Andrade, whose career was threatened by multiple injuries between 2015 and 2019. "When we understand our limits, it's fundamental to respect them, " she continued. "I can still show a lot on other devices."

After making her Olympic debut at Rio 2016, the Sao Paulo native won gold on vault and silver in the all-around in Tokyo in 2021. In Paris, in addition to gold on floor, she won silver on vault and again in the individual all-around, then bronze in the team event , a record that makes her the most decorated Brazilian athlete in the history of the Games, women and men combined.

"I'm taking better care of my physical and mental health (...) , insisted Rebeca Andrade . It's crucial for the years to come." Very popular in her country, the gymnast is currently preparing for the world championships, scheduled for October 19 to 25 in Jakarta, Indonesia.