Paris Olympics gymnast Hezly Rivera recently crafted a witty birthday message for her father Henry Rivera. She became the youngest member of Team USA competing at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The 16-year-old commenced her gymnastics journey as a five-year-old after her father enrolled her in a gym. Rivera was attending a friend's birthday party held in a gymnastics arena, where the coach spotted her natural talent and approached Henry with an interest in coaching her.
Her father, who works as a senior director of test engineering at Medidata Solutions after having pursued a degree from the Stevens Institute of Technology in 2002, moved to Plano, Texas, for the gymnast to start training under Olympic medalist Nastia Liukin’s dad, Valeri Liukin, in 2020.
On his birthday, Rivera penned a playful yet heartwarming message.
"Happy Birthday Pa," she wrote. "I hope the rest of your day is amazing (spending it with me).
"I love you," she added with a white heart emoji.
She further shared a selfie taken during the Gold Over America Tour, where her father was present to cheer her up.
Henry was seen overcome with emotions when his daughter earned a spot for the Paris Olympics during the 2024 U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Trials held at the Target Center in Minnesota, Minneapolis, in June.
Hezly Rivera expresses her gratitude for her family being present at the Paris Olympics
Hezly Rivera expressed her gratitude for her family's presence at her debut Olympics during the 2024 Paris Games. She recently shared a photo of her journal entry she wrote as a seven-year-old, expressing her desire to attend the Olympics with her family.
Reflecting back on the journal entry in an interview with NBC Sports, she expressed gratitude and appreciation for her family.
"It meant the whole world to me because my family, they're my biggest supporters and they've always been ever since I was little. They've dedicated their life just like I have to this Sport and they helped me make these sacrifices as well. So I'm just so incredibly grateful for them."
"That little paper actually came true which is absolutely insane so I'm just so happy." (7:00 onwards).
Hezly Rivera secured a gold medal in the women's team event at the 2024 Paris Games.