Gymnastics GOAT Simone Biles and her US teammate Jordan Chiles have bowed down to gold medallist Rebeca Andrade on the historic all-Black gymnastics podium in the women’s floor final.
Biles missed out on her fourth Paris gold medal by just 0.033 of a point in her final event for the 2024 Olympic Games. She performed a routine of high difficulty, but landed two of her four tumbling passes out of bounds and scored 14.166.
Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade, who almost flawlessly performed her routine of lower difficulty, scored a 14.166 to claim the title.
Joining them on the podium was USA’s Jordan Chiles, who won the bronze medal with a score of 13.766.
After Brazil’s national anthem was played, Biles and Chiles took a knee and bowed down to the “queen”, Andrade.
It was a special moment for the three athletes, who made history as the first all-Black podium in gymnastics. But speaking with reporters after the win, Andrade said she’s not so focused on that.
“I am very happy and proud about what I did,” Andrade said. “We came here every day to compete and perform (well). Gymnastics is not an easy sport, it requires a lot from our body and mind.
“I love myself, my skin colour. But I’m also not focused on that. Rebeca goes beyond her skin colour. And the same goes for Jordan, for Simone.
“Sometimes it may be more difficult… because of your skin colour. But you can do it, and we proved it’s possible.”
Rebeca Andrade has won four medals at these Olympic Games: one gold, two silver and one bronze. She won her silver medals in the individual women’s vault and the women’s artistic all-round – second place to Simone Biles in each event. Andrade was part of the women’s artistic all-around team that won bronze.
Andrade is not only the most decorated Brazilian and Latin American gymnast of all time, but also the most decorated Brazilian Olympian.
Meanwhile, Simone Biles’ silver medal is her 11th Olympic medal in her career, and fourth medal from the Paris 2024 Games.
“I’ve accomplished way more than my wildest dreams – not just at this Olympics, but in this sport,” Biles said after winning her silver medal.
“So I can’t be mad at my performances. A couple years ago I didn’t think I would be back here at an Olympic Games so, competing and then walking away with four medals.”
At the Tokyo 2020 Games, Biles bowed out mid-competition over concerns for her physical and her mental health. Her return to the Games this year has landed her the title of the Greatest of All Time (GOAT): winning her seventh Olympic gold medal this tournament has made her the most decorated gymnast of all time.