Simone Biles and Rebeca Andrade are those two gymnasts who have been on the top step of the podium for a long time. Their peak forms also make them rivals to each other, as they always battle for that gleaming gold medal on the international stages like the Olympic Games. This year too was no different, as the two gymnasts met on many occasions and earned their own golds with their prolific performances.

However, many rumors are suggesting the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028 would be the one facing against each other. If they do take their retirement from the sport, it would be the end of an era, but even the gymnasts aren’t sure if LA would be their last dance or not. However, Andrade has taken the opportunity to talk about her rivalry with the American gymnast, which is just more than what the public thinks of the two.

Much more than a sports rivalry

It’s not a rare sight to see an athlete from the United States and Brazil going against each other in a sport. The rivalry factor is also present in gymnastics, and it has been featuring Simone Biles and Rebeca Andrade for a long time. Even at the Olympic Games in the French capital a few months ago, Simone Biles and Rebeca Andrade battled it out on the mat to earn their accolades, which they did. The most notable event was the floor exercise final, where Biles and Jordan Chiles respectfully bowed down to the Brazilian gymnast, showcasing their sportsmanship. The “all-black podium” became iconic, but a penalty from the CAS later stripped Chiles of her medal.

There are so many moments that can be seen from the Paris Olympics, and these are also some that Andrade has recalled and kept locked in her memory lane. Furthermore, in a recent interview with GQ, the Brazilian gymnast opened up on her rivalry with Biles, stating, “I think it’s a very strong word and maybe even wrong. Of course, we want to win; we train for it, but that doesn’t stop us from rooting for each other.”

According to Andrade’s dictionary, describing her and Biles’ relationship on the mat as a rivalry doesn’t suit them. Surely, they are competitors, and whenever they attend such big events, they want to bring that gold medal to their country. However, there is also a strong sense of sportsmanship between them, which fosters a bond of friendship and unwavering support for each other throughout their respective journeys. They both know that they’ve worked a lot to reach the level they are currently at, and both of them have a lot of respect for each other, even if they are competitors on the mat.

Andrade clarified that their competitiveness doesn’t hamper their relationship, as they just have nothing but love and support for their own talents and the accolades they have achieved throughout their stellar career. The Brazilian gymnast knows that there’s not much time left in her career to compete against her rival, but whatever stage they will be meeting next, there will be moments that she will cherish in her life. This isn’t also the first time that the 25-year-old has shown a soft side for Biles, as the American gymnast was somebody who assisted her during one of the darkest phases of her career.

That time when Simone Biles became her guiding light

What’s a sports career without life throwing several hurdles once in a while? For Rebeca Andrade, while there have been times when she has been at the top step of the podium, there were also times when she was unable to attempt her basic training. Back in 2015, the Brazilian gymnast suffered an ACL injury, making her unable to compete at the World Championships. While she returned to the mat for the Rio Olympics in 2016, the injury snuck up again at the 2017 World Championships in Montreal. However, things looked really bad when the same happened once again in 2019.

There were dark clouds looming upon her career, but she still fought, and this time she had her rival fighting by her side in a unique way. Watching Biles compete and with her supportive messages, Andrade recovered with a great pace and once described her relationship with the American gymnast, stating, “I’ve grown such affection for her.” They are gymnasts before rivals, and they know how to support each other in such circumstances. Similarly, Biles has also acknowledged that she is fond of having Andrade on the mat, as she gives her a great challenge during the competitions.