Rebeca Andrade Begins Olympic Comeback at Pan American Championships

Rebeca Andrade is set to begin her Olympic comeback this week at the 2026 Pan American Gymnastics Championships in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The event will mark her first competitive routines since the 2024 Olympic Games, where she won silver behind Simone Biles on vault and in the all-around, but claimed gold on the floor exercise.

Andrade's desire to return to the mat was evident in her statement to Olympics.com in May, saying "I still have a little more to show."

She currently has over 13 million followers across Instagram and TikTok, and has been involved in various professional ventures beyond the balance beam.

Since making her 2016 Olympic debut in Rio de Janeiro, Andrade has risen through the gymnastics ranks, becoming a six-time Olympic medalist and two-time Olympic gold medalist.

She won her first Olympic medal in Tokyo, a silver behind Suni Lee, and later became the first Brazilian women's gymnast to win a gold medal.

Andrade has her sights set on the 2026 World Championships in Rotterdam, Netherlands, this October, and is aiming to compete in her fourth Olympic Games in two years' time.

She will compete only one or two events this week in Rio, but her return will thrill gymnastics fans worldwide, especially those from her home country.

Andrade led Brazil to historic team successes, including a team silver at the 2023 World Championships and an Olympic bronze at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

The 27-year-old has shattered records for her federation, collecting nine World Championship medals, including three gold and the 2022 World all-around title.

As she begins her comeback, Andrade is expected to face strong competition from the likes of Hezly Rivera, who will lead Team USA's women's delegation at the Pan American Championships.

Andrade's long-term plans aside, the comeback countdown begins for one of gymnastics' all-time greats, with her first competitive routines since the 2024 Olympic Games.