At this year’s Olympic Games, Latino fans had plenty to cheer for, whether rooting for athletes from their home countries or supporting those representing Team USA. As the Paris Games conclude, thirteen Latino athletes are heading back home with gold medals, marking historic achievements and personal milestones.
Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade became a national hero by winning gold in the women’s gymnastics floor exercise, defeating Simone Biles. Andrade’s Olympic journey didn’t stop there; she also secured one bronze and two silver medals, making her one of Brazil’s most decorated Olympians this year.
In another victory for Brazil, Beatriz Sousa claimed the country’s first gold medal in the 78kg+ judo final, adding to Brazil’s status as Latin America’s leading gold medal winner at the Paris Games.
Marileidy Paulino made history for the Dominican Republic by winning the country’s first Olympic gold in the women’s 400m race. Her victory, with the fourth-fastest time in the event’s history, is a proud moment for her nation.
Argentinian basketball legend Diana Taurasi, playing for Team USA, earned her sixth gold medal in women’s basketball, surpassing her longtime teammate Sue Bird to become the most decorated basketball player in Olympic history. These Games were Taurasi’s final Olympic appearance, making her achievement even more significant.
Cuban wrestler Mijain López Núñez secured his fifth consecutive Olympic gold in the 130-kilogram Greco-Roman wrestling final. López Núñez made history as the first athlete to win gold in the same event at five consecutive Games. His retirement from wrestling was symbolically marked by placing his shoes at the center of the mat after his victory.
Guatemala celebrated a historic moment as gymnast-turned-shooter Adriana Ruano won the country’s first-ever gold medal in the women’s trap event. Meanwhile, Cuba’s Erislandy Alvarez clinched gold in the men’s lightweight boxing final, defeating the French favorite, Sofiane Oumiha.
In women’s beach volleyball, Brazil’s Ana Patrícia and Duda Lisboa triumphed over Canada, bringing home another gold for their country after a tense and thrilling match.
Francisca Crovetto Chadid made history for Chile, winning the country’s first Olympic gold in 20 years in the women’s skeet event. She also became Chile’s first female Olympic champion, a milestone for her nation.
Argentinian BMX rider Jose Torres Gil earned gold in the BMX Men’s Freestyle. His victory, he said, was dedicated to all Argentinian athletes who represented their nation in Paris. “My medal is for everybody,” Torres Gil stated proudly.
In the 20km race walk, Ecuador’s Brian Pintado claimed his first Olympic gold, narrowly missing an Olympic record, but making his mark on the world stage.
Hezly Rivera, a Dominican-American, was part of the U.S. women’s artistic gymnastics team that took home gold. Although Rivera didn’t compete in the team final, she made history earlier this year by becoming the youngest member of Team USA headed to the Paris Olympics.
Medal Count by Country
- Brazil: 3 gold, 7 silver, 10 bronze
- Argentina: 1 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze
- Chile: 1 gold, 1 silver
- Colombia: 3 silver, 1 bronze
- Cuba: 2 gold, 1 silver, 6 bronze
- Dominican Republic: 1 gold, 2 bronze
- Ecuador: 1 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze
- Guatemala: 1 gold, 1 bronze
- Mexico: 3 silver, 2 bronze
- Peru: 1 bronze
- Puerto Rico: 2 bronze
- Latino Athletes on Team USA: 2 gold, 1 silver
They Won More Than Medals: Touching Stories of Silver and Bronze
While some athletes brought home gold, others captured the hearts of fans with their remarkable stories and achievements.
Seventeen-year-old Ángel Barajas made history for Colombia, earning its first-ever Olympic medal in gymnastics during the high bar competition. Barajas tied with gold medalist Shinnosuke Oka in score, but took silver due to Oka’s higher execution score. His return to Colombia was met with celebration, marking a significant achievement for his country.
Two Latinas on Team USA’s artistic swimming team, Daniella Ramirez and Anita Alvarez, brought home a silver medal while captivating fans with their personal journeys. Ramirez, a third-generation artistic swimmer, fulfilled her family’s American dream with her Olympic silver. Meanwhile, Alvarez, who returned to the Olympics after a dramatic incident where she passed out in the pool during the world championships two years ago, also won hearts with her resilience.
Sebastian Rivera, representing Puerto Rico in men’s 65kg freestyle wrestling, won bronze at the Olympics. The former Rutgers star, who was honored as Puerto Rico’s flag bearer during the opening ceremony, made his nation proud with his strong performance in Paris.
