If you don’t know her name yet, you will soon.
Plano native Hesley Rivera will be heading to Paris with the U.S. women’s gymnastics team.
Sunday night’s Olympic team announcement capped a whirlwind weekend for the 16-year-old, who was greeted by dozens of fans at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport on Monday night, many of whom train at her gym.
“Congratulations on making it to the Olympics, that’s so amazing,” said 10-year-old Nora Greenfield.
Rivera shone brightly at the Olympic Trials over the weekend.
She will be joining four Olympic veterans on the sport’s ultimate stage: Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey, Suni Lee and Simone Biles.
“I couldn’t be happier. I’m very excited,” Rivera told NBC Sports.
But Rivera’s father, Henry Rivera, is likely just as ecstatic. His reaction to his daughter being selected for the national team was just as impressive as her performance.
“I’m overjoyed. I’m so proud as a father, as a family. I can’t even put it into words,” Henry Rivera said.
Rivera was born in New Jersey, but her family moved to Texas so she could train at WOGA Plano.
It was a long time ago when she first tried gymnastics at a friend’s birthday party when she was five years old.
“I definitely wasn’t expecting this. I was just going to go home and get my bags, but it’s just so nice to see everyone out supporting me,” Rivera said after returning to the Dallas-Fort Worth airport.
She signed autographs and took photos with fans, who began chanting “USA!”
“I’ve worked so hard to get to this point and I’m just enjoying the journey and the process. I’m so blessed and I thank God every day,” Rivera said.