Heroic medal win: Flavia Saraiva’s inspiring journey to Olympic bronze

Despite a bleeding injury, Saraiva played a crucial role in Brazil's historic Olympic gymnastics bronze medal win

Flavia Saraiva played a crucial role in helping Brazil secure a bronze medal in the artistic gymnastics team all-around event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, despite sustaining a cut above her eye that left her temporarily disoriented. The event, held at the Palais Bercy, was won by the United States, led by Simone Biles.

During her routine on the uneven bars, Saraiva suffered a blow that caused her to bleed and become confused. Recalling the incident, she said, “I couldn’t see, I was bleeding. I said, ‘Guys, where am I?’” Saraiva recounted how her team reacted with concern, with one member shouting, “He’s bleeding!” She realised her eye was bleeding after feeling the wound on her face. The team doctor reassured her that everything was fine.

Saraiva explained that the injury occurred when her knee struck her eye during a fall. “I think my knee hit my eye when I tripped. When I realised, I was on the ground with my knee in my face,” she stated. Despite the injury, Saraiva managed to recover and contribute to Brazil’s victory over England, with a score of 164.497, just behind Italy and the United States.

The Brazilian team, comprising Rebeca Andrade, Jade Barbosa, Lorrane Oliveira, Flavia Saraiva, and Julia Soares, made history by becoming the first South American team to win an Olympic medal in gymnastics.