In a full-circle redemption moment, Simone Biles and Team USA’s gymnastics squad wrapped up their Paris Olympics adventure with a bang! Simone, who snagged 3 golds and a silver medal, cemented her place as the most decorated American gymnast ever with a total of 11 Olympic medals. Simone Biles fought tooth and nail to make it to her third Games, overcoming the infamous Tokyo Twisties, grappling with mental health, and pushing physical limits.

At 27, she became the oldest U.S. champion ever, proving that age only adds to her awe factor. Fans were bracing for a dramatic emotional release, maybe even some tears, but Simone stayed cooler than a cucumber, grinning from ear to ear. Her joy at competing on her own terms and her overall well-being shone through every day of competition. But hold the phone—there were indeed tears! Just one person got to see them up close: her WCC teammate and “bestie,” Jordan Chiles.

Jordan Chiles opens up about Simone Biles’ tearful night in Paris!

While Simone Biles is still enjoying the City of Love with her family, the rest of her teammates—Suni Lee, Jordan Chiles, her Olympic Village roommate Jade Carey, and Hezly Rivera—are back home in the USA. On August 8, Jordan Chiles made her way to NBC Studios in New York City and appeared on the TODAY show with Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie. The hosts noted how Biles and Chiles stood out for their friendship, with Simone even being happier for Jordan’s medal than her own at the Floor Exercise finals.

After speaking about how cherished their friendship is, Chiles said, “Simone’s like a big sister to me.“ Hoda told Jordan that Simone Biles had shared; she burst into tears the moment she saw Jordan after it was all over. “That shows how close you guys are to have that moment together,” Hoda Kotb said.

Jordan replied, “Yeah, we went back to the village and I knew at some point she was going to cry but I didn’t know when it was going to happen so I think just knowing and understanding that the bond that we brought together even through the last two years and everything that’s been happening, I think the biggest thing was we’re by each other’s side the whole time. I appreciate that she’s done for me and it’s just—I mean, these pictures just show it all. I have no words.” But even Simone Biles had a lot to say about this moment!

Why did the GOAT save her tears for after the Paris Olympics?

At the Paris Olympics, Simone Biles was all smiles and beaming from ear to ear, but once the Games wrapped up, she was hit with a wave of emotion. On the TODAY show in Paris on Tuesday, August 6, Biles told Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie about her emotional return to the Olympic Village after the women’s floor routine final. “Yesterday when we got back to the village, I looked at Jordan [Chiles] and I started balling my eyes out,” she shared.

Simone shared that Jordan had anticipated the moment, saying she knew it would happen but just didn’t know when. Simone explained that she was overwhelmed with emotion and finally let it all out. But those weren’t tears of sadness—far from it! “I was so proud, happy, and bittersweet that the journey is over. It’s so crazy, it happened so quick. My third Olympics,” shared 11-time Olympic medalist Simone Biles.

With all the buzz about whether this will be her last Olympic hurrah, Simone kept it open-ended. She told Guthrie and Kotb that she’s not ruling anything out, emphasizing that you “never say never” when it comes to future competitions. With the next Olympics set for her home turf in Los Angeles, there’s always a chance she could be back. For now, she’s taking it easy and letting life unfold. So, what do you think of this emotional, joy-filled ending to Simone’s Paris Olympics journey? Share your thoughts in the comments below!