“Hezly, if you need anything, this is Hoda, ‘gymnastics Olympic mother’.” That is how Simone Biles had introduced TODAY co-anchor Hoda Kotb to her newest USA teammate 16-year-old Hezley Rivera. Well, that tells fairly everything about what Hoda means to the USA gymnasts. And over the years, Hoda herself has done it all that has taken her beyond the ranks of just another journalist. Remember what she did in the beam finals at the Tokyo Olympics?

Back then, while witnessing the Olympic action from the stands, the TODAY co-anchor put in all her energy as she cheered and waved a star-studded piece of cloth around in the air. Later, during an interview with the team, Hoda revealed that she was waving around a piece from her daughter Haley Joy’s wardrobe. And why did she do that? “So this is what I was waving. This is my daughter’s dress. She put it in my luggage for good luck, so I took it to the meet and I just started twirling it around and it gave me good luck for all of you,” she explained.

That brought out a collective “Aww” from the gymnasts as they listened to the sweet story. Indeed, who would such things other than a ‘mom’? And maybe, for Simone Biles, that meant a lot. Because she was competing there after pulling out from several events because of the Twisties. Eventually, she ended the event with a bronze. With all those, Hoda has been become a permanent fixture in the USA’s gymnastics landscape.

So while it is often media outlets that chase after athletes to appear for interviews, for Hoda it became the other way around. And who spearheaded it? None other than Simone herself. As the veteran reporter said goodbye to the show after 17 years, the Olympic gold medalist wanted to be there to surprise her ‘Olympic mom’ in her farewell. That was indeed special for Hoda because she had seen Simone since her Rio Olympic days when, as Hoda says, the gymnast was “just a kid, we did not know how to pronounce your name!”

So, looking at Simone’s unexpected gesture, the veteran reporter teared up as she said, “I watched you grow up… watched you go to the mountaintop. I mean, I watched you fall down and get back up again,” Hoda Kotb said in the video, wearing an expression of surprise on her face. It was clear as day that among all the celebrities who dropped in to bid adieu to the 60-year-old, the eleven-time Olympic medalist equating her to a mother figure moved Kotb the most.

The heartfelt gesture didn’t just move the 60-year-old to tears but also moved the fans. “Thank you, Hoda for being team USA gymnasts’ ‘mom’ and biggest fan. You were a light in one of their darkest times, and you supported, cried alongside, and cheered them to GOLD! See you in LA!” one fan commented on TODAY’s YouTube video.

Giving credence to the fan’s comment, Simone Biles revealed Hoda Kotb helped not just her, but all the gymnasts speak about their vulnerabilities. “She’s like our Olympic mom. I’ve been coming to the Today Show for years and sharing vulnerable stories… Hoda has given us such a great platform to be open and raw and to just feel like a safe space,” said the Olympian. Interestingly, besides celebrating the reporter’s illustrious career on NBC, Biles also dropped a major hint about the future.

Did Simone Biles just reveal the secret about her gymnastic future?

After the Paris Olympics, when Hoda sat for a conversation with Simone, she had said, “Simone, this has been a beautiful, beautiful run. I have loved every minute of covering you at these Olympic games. If this is the last one, it’s been a great ride. And if it’s not, we’ll see you in LA! I’m turning 60, so let’s figure this out, okay!” Now, Hoda has done her bit. But what is there for Simone?

Dropping a massive hint about that on Hoda’s last day with TODAY, Simone said, “Hopefully we’re in LA together,” said the world champion, stunning everyone in the room. In fact, Kotb herself seemed surprised. Moments later, Kotb broke into a jig, saying, “We broke news on my last day,” responding to Biles’ comment. Kotb had hinted about starting “something new,” but the WCC gymnast was the one who pinpointed what the report might do by the time the 2028 LA Olympics rolled around.

Looking at all these, one fan commented, “What a nice surprise for her last day.” “Hoda is def the best mom,” commented another fan after watching the 27-year-old gymnast honor the veteran reporter. Kotb felt similarly emotional, equating the Olympian’s presence with that of winning an Olympic gold. “I don’t have a gold medal, but this feels pretty emotional right now,” she said. Meanwhile, all the speculation and Kotb’s departure led other fans to make their own guess about the NBC show’s future.

“Good Luck to Hoda! Who thinks will replace her? I think it’s going to be Savannah,” theorized the fan. However, NBC is yet to reveal who’ll be sitting in Kotb’s chair moving forward. Finally, one fan simply commented on how unique and moving it was to see Biles surprise Kotb. “That was really special,” commented the fan. On the other hand, there was no shortage of celebrities who celebrated the journalist. Oprah Winfrey, Jamie Lee Curtis, California’s former first lady, Maria Shriver, and Gayle King all paid tribute to the 60-year-old’s contribution.

However, when all was said and done, Hoda Kotb once again credited Simone Biles. “When I think about all the things I’ve done here over all the 26 years, you’re on top of my list,” said the journalist. So, what did you think of the exchange between the Olympic legend and the star report? Let us know in the comments.