via Reuters
Paris 2024 Olympics – Artistic Gymnastics – Women’s Floor Exercise Victory Ceremony – Bercy Arena, Paris, France – August 05, 2024. Gold medallist Rebeca Andrade of Brazil celebrates on the podium with silver medallist Simone Biles of United States and bronze medallist Jordan Chiles of United States. REUTERS/Hannah Mckay
via Reuters
Paris 2024 Olympics – Artistic Gymnastics – Women’s Floor Exercise Victory Ceremony – Bercy Arena, Paris, France – August 05, 2024. Gold medallist Rebeca Andrade of Brazil celebrates on the podium with silver medallist Simone Biles of United States and bronze medallist Jordan Chiles of United States. REUTERS/Hannah Mckay
Before the Court of Arbitration for Sports stripped Jordan Chiles of her bronze medal, she made history at the Olympics. Chile, alongside Simone Biles and Rebeca Andrade, made up the first all-black gymnastics Olympic podium in history. Biles and Chiles bowed to the most decorated Brazilian Olympian in any discipline atop the podium in a moment embodying the Olympic and sporting spirit.
Their gesture toward the floor exercise gold medalist Rebeca Andrade became one of the most memorable moments of Paris 2024. Chiles, who had won her first individual Olympic medal (momentarily), had no qualms about showing respect. Even, Simone Biles who had already won three golds took no issue. Yet, the gesture didn’t sit well with some like NFL athlete Marlon Humphrey.
Somehow, the Baltimore Ravens cornerback found it “literally disgusting,” and he wasn’t the only one. Many added to the backlash against the harmless gesture. So, Jordan Chiles broke her silence during the Way Up podcast. “I’m a girl’s girl I’m gonna recognize you no matter. I’m gonna give you your flowers… because you did what you needed to do,” the gymnast told host Angela Yee.
The 23-year-old also believed she had the answer to why some fans disapproved. “We’re not always competing against each other. We still have a relationship outside of our sport which I feel like people don’t see,” said the 2x Olympic medalist. This is why the 23-year-old didn’t go out of her way to address the outrage. “People are just people. I just let them be,” added the gymnast.
It’s crucial to know that despite the podcast being released on August 23, Chiles made this statement on August 9. Yee filmed the episode before the CAS verdict instructed the Olympian to return her bronze medal. However, there’s little doubt that the Team All-Around gold medalist would change her views. After all, she’s acutely aware of Andrade’s struggles.
Jordan Chiles knew what Rebeca Andrade overcame
The 2024 Paris Olympics was the stage where the GOAT Simone Biles completed her comeback. After a disappointing Tokyo 2020, Biles overcame mental health battles, earning three gold medals, including the most prestigious all-around gold medal. After undergoing three ACL surgeries, the Brazilian hoped to prove that she has continued to improve.
Andrade won two medals in Tokyo two years after her third, nearly career-ending ACL injury. However, the 25-year-old proved her point, winning four in Paris, including gold in the floor exercise. “I always stay focused, particularly during competitions. Due to the many surgeries I’ve had, I can’t afford to lose concentration…” the Olympian told AP ahead of the 2024 Olympics.
That alertness paid off in the closely fought finals inside Bercy Arena. The Sao Paulo native edged out the 7x Olympic gold medalist by 0.033 points, scoring 14.166. “She’s way too close. I’ve never had an athlete that close,” Biles said about her rival after the all-around finals. While it took a few more events, Andrade proved just why Jordan Chiles and Simone Biles respect her.
Biles and her teammate have both faced several hardships, including unfair treatment and mental abuse, all in the name of cashing Olympic glory. Hence, neither American hesitated in their humble gesture, despite being rivals with Andrade on the world stage.
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Jordan Chiles' tribute to Rebeca Andrade—A beautiful gesture or unnecessary drama?