Brazil clinches Olympic bronze in women’s gymnastics, as Flávia Saraiva wins the internet’s heart

A mirrored image of Saraiva balancing with one leg up on the beam.

Brazil’s bronze-winning women’s gymnastics team made history on Tuesday, winning the nation’s first-ever medal in the sport at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Fans at home and online were, of course, joyous. But the internet wasn’t just obsessed with the impressive athletic feat of an underdog team. Many were also singing the praises of a now-viral scene: The badass look of a bandaged and bruised Flávia Saraiva hitting the bars and taking home her long-overdue medal.

During warm-ups for Brazil’s uneven bars rotation on the day of the team finals, team member Saraiva injured herself after taking a frightening fall from the elevated bars, leaving her with a split-open eye that became a pseudo symbol for the Brazilian team’s impressive showing. The 24-year-old veteran of the sport went straight into her routine following a quick med check, clinching crucial points for the all-around podium spot.

“Flavia hitting a full bar routine minutes after knocking her eye out +10000 AURA POINTS,” wrote one X user.

The Brazilian team — which also includes Rebeca Andrade, Jade Barbosa, Lorrane Oliveira, and Julia Soares — ended with a total score of 164.497, around 6 points behind the gold-winning U.S. team led by Simone Biles. Saraiva, marking her third Olympic showing, beamed as she received the bronze.