Salma Hayek qualified for Olympics gymnastics team as a child but dad forbade her from training

Salma Hayek Pinault could have been known in the sports world if her father did not interfere with her career .

The Academy Award -nominated actress dreamed about being an Olympian when she was younger before she wanted to become a Hollywood star. The Mexican-American actress shared that she was a gymnast and was pretty good at it but her father forbade her from attending boarding school to train so she could have a "normal" childhood.

She was even drafted for the Olympics in gymnastics and would have represented her home country, Mexico. Mexico never won an Olympic medal in the sport.

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According to the Olympics website , Salma told OK! Magazine: "There was a road I didn't take, which haunted me for many years. When I was very little, I was drafted for the Olympics in gymnastics. My father refused to allow me to go to a boarding school at nine years old in another city where I was to be exercising six hours a day."

Despite not being an Olympian, the actress took part in the Olympic Torch Relay ahead of the Olympic Games in Paris. She expressed her excitement but posting photos an videos on her Instagram of her strolling through the Château de Versailles palace holding the Olympic torch on her left hand. She was part of the relay and went from Rambouillet to Versailles.

She wrote in her post: "Yesterday, I had the honor of carrying the Olympic flame, a symbol of light, hope, peace, and unity ♾️. If you believe in these values, know that you were with me every step of the way. As I passed the torch and took part in the relay, I was proud to represent the enduring spirit of the Olympics, bringing light, hope, and unity to all. #Olympics #Paris2024 ."

In the pictures and videos, Salma was wearing the white ceremonial outfit with all white sneakers and her hair tied in a high slick back ponytail. The video showed her lighting the torch and posing for the camera, while photos showed her walking towards the crowd with other participants.

Snoop Dogg was also seen holding the Olympic torch in Paris.