From Disappointment to Determination: De Jesus dos Santos Prepares for Paris 2024

France‘s De Jesus dos Santos is heading into her home Olympics as a new athlete and a new person compared to the one who finished 11th in the all-around at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

The 24-year-old gymnast has undergone significant changes in her life since that disappointing event. She made the important decision to move to Houston, Texas, to train with coaches Cecile and Laurent Landi, as well as alongside the gymnastics superstar, Simone Biles.

Throughout her training, De Jesus dos Santos has put a strong focus on her mental health, learning to give herself grace during tough moments and realizing that the journey is just as important as the end results.

In an exclusive interview with Olympics.com, she shared, “I really grew up after the Tokyo Games. I made the decision to change my training location.” This change has led to a significant boost in confidence for her.

Her recent performances have shown that her hard work is paying off. Last October, during the World Championships in Antwerp, Belgium, she shone under pressure as Team France’s final competitor on the challenging balance beam.

Her routine was a crucial part of her team’s historic bronze medal finish. “It was really incredible because we didn’t expect too much,” she said, expressing the thrill of the moment.

Reflecting on her experience in Tokyo, De Jesus dos Santos revealed her disappointment with her performance. She admitted that the preparation and competition were difficult for her, especially dealing with injuries.

<p“Many things happened in my life outside of gymnastics,” she said. “I couldn’t let go at the Games, and in the end, I didn’t compete the way I knew how.” However, she’s choosing to view her past with a more positive lens now that time has passed.

With the guidance and support of her coaches the Landis, along with Biles, whom she describes as a big sister, De Jesus dos Santos has learned the importance of self-confidence.

“The biggest lesson I’ve learned is not to doubt yourself,” she noted. “It’s really the biggest power you can have.”

As the Paris Olympics approach, De Jesus dos Santos is embracing her home terrain. The stylish athlete has already appeared in pre-Olympic advertising campaigns for high-profile brands like Dior and Proctor and Gamble.

“We will be pampered by the team because we are at home,” she said excitedly, aware of how special this opportunity is.

She plans to bring all the experiences of the past two years into the Games, focusing on enjoying the moment and being proud of her work.

“I need to enjoy these Games and come out really happy and proud of what I did,” she stated, emphasizing that even without a medal, her true success lies in her personal satisfaction.