WOGA’s Winning Formula: Producing Olympic Champions for Three Decades

The World Olympic Gymnastics Academy (WOGA) in Plano, Texas, has been churning out Olympic champions for an impressive 30 years. Founded by Yevgeny Marchenko and Valeri Liukin in 1994, WOGA has become a powerhouse in the gymnastics world, producing 36 world and Olympic medals. The latest addition to this illustrious list is 16-year-old Hezly Rivera, who played a crucial role in the U.S. women’s gymnastics team’s gold medal win at the Olympic team finals.

Rivera’s success is a testament to WOGA’s winning formula, which emphasizes hard work, dedication, and balance. With a diverse coaching staff and a focus on athletes’ health and well-being, WOGA has created an environment where gymnasts can thrive. Marchenko attributes the program’s success to this approach, saying, “Our elite team practices 35 to 36 hours a week — it’s a full-time job. But we’re always telling the girls that their health is number one. Gymnastics always comes after that.”

Rivera’s mother, Heidy Ruiz, said she told her daughter to pray before she steps on the mat to perform a routine.

“We tell her to pray, be confident and she got this,”  Heidy Ruiz said.

Her father, Henry Rivera, told the outlet that the family “couldn’t be more excited.”

“That was a great accomplishment,” Rivera said. “Making the team is just the main thing. But, being the youngest out of all the athletes, that’s something that you can’t take away from her ever.”

As WOGA celebrates its 30th anniversary, it’s clear that the program’s impact will be felt for generations to come. With gymnasts like Cadyn Nyland and Sage Stiggers already following in Rivera’s footsteps, the future looks bright for WOGA. And with Marchenko’s promise to add Rivera’s name to WOGA’s walls, the legacy of this renowned training center will continue to inspire and produce Olympic champions for years to come.