From the Fundación Bi youth programs to the Youth Olympic Games:

Brithany's story that inspires Guatemala.

When talent and dreams meet opportunity, there is no obstacle that can stop them—that is how one might describe the life of Brithany Soberanis, the 14-year-old gymnast who will represent Guatemala in the all-around competition on November 8 during the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar.

Brithany’s story began when she was just 4 years old. Growing up in a challenging environment with limited resources in Zone 7 of the capital, she found a safe space for personal growth and social transformation when she joined the Guatemalan Olympic Foundation (Funog), which is now part of Fundación Bi’s programs.

Following in the footsteps of her older sisters, who were already participating in gymnastics as part of the program, the young girl began training without realizing that this would be the starting point on her journey to the elite ranks of global youth sports.

Those who watched her grow up remember her as a quiet, observant girl with a constant smile that lit up every practice—and who was quite restless.

From day one, she demonstrated a defining quality in gymnastics: she was fearless. With natural courage and innate talent, she took on the challenges of all four gymnastics apparatus from a very young age.

It didn't take long for her talent to catch the attention of the Guatemalan National Gymnastics Federation, and she made the leap from the Foundation's youth programs to the ranks of the national team.

In 2019, at just 7 years old, Brithany was already showing signs of her potential by winning four first-place finishes in the Quetzal Cup. A year later, in August 2020, amid the challenges posed by the pandemic, she proved that nothing could stop her; she continued training from home and won the bronze medal at the Virtual World Gymnastics competition.

Over the years, that little girl grew into a high-performance athlete and a member of the Sports Talent Retention Program (PRT), and she began winning international medals, such as at the 2025 Central American Artistic Gymnastics Championships, where she earned three first-place finishes and two second-place finishes.

“Brithany’s journey reflects why we believe in sports as a tool for social transformation. Seeing a girl who joined our programs at age 4 overcome many barriers and make it to the Youth Olympic Games fills us with pride. Brithany shows all children and young people that no obstacle can stop a dream when it is backed by opportunities and values,” explained María José Paiz, General Manager of Fundación Bi.

On November 8, when Brithany Soberanis competes in her event at the Youth Olympic Games, she will be representing Guatemala, her family’s history, the support of those who believed in her, and the certainty that dreams—when pursued with all one’s heart—come true.

Full name: Brithany Alexandra Soberanis España

Age: 14 years old

Sport: Artistic Gymnastics