2024-07-31 23:50:02
After Team USA’s triumphant redemption for gold in Tuesday’s team final, Jade Carey and Hezly Rivera can’t stop smiling.
“It just feels so incredible. I’m super excited and super proud of this team and everything that we’ve overcome to get back here on top of the podium again,” Carey told “TODAY” co-anchors Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie.
Despite not feeling well before Sunday’s qualifiers, Carey landed an excellent vault in front of a star-studded crowd to help lift her team to victory in the final.
“A lot of pressure on that one vault, but I knew that if I was just my normal self that I would get the job done,” Carey said.
Her performance was followed by a stunning bar routine from Suni Lee and, to no surprise, a sensational floor performance from Simone Biles. Jordan Chiles also shined on floor.
Hezly Rivera, the youngest team member at 16, did not compete in the team final but expressed pride and disbelief in being able to compete alongside Biles.
“I never thought that would happen, being on the same team as Simone. I’ve always looked up to her,” Rivera said, after photos showed Biles visiting Rivera’s gym when she was a kid.
On Tuesday, Biles became the most decorated gymnast with eight Olympic medals.
Biles posted on X after the win that the official team name was the “Golden Girls,” alluding to both their victory and the older ages of several of their members.
Carey and Rivera said the name was “perfect.”
The pair will cheer on Biles and Lee in the all-around event on Thursday. Carey will then compete in the individual vault event on Saturday.
