Months have passed since the conclusion of the Paris Olympics, during which numerous debates took place. Among these were the discussions around the rivalry of Brazilian gymnast Rebeca Andrade and Team USA’s Simone Biles. Both of them have shared the stage multiple times at international events and always provide a great cluster of great performances to the crowd.

Recently, the topic of the rivalry between the two was brought up to Andrade, who was enjoying some off-season leisure while watching volleyball. The Brazilian gymnast gave an intriguing reply to the question, mocking the idea of the rivalry.

The respect that they both have for each other

In any sport, rivalries between two athletes are not only defined by their aggression towards each other but also by the respect they share. Andrade and Biles have competed in the sport for a long time and have developed a bond that goes beyond a mere gymnastics rivalry, both on and off the stage.

In the ninth round of the Women’s Volleyball Super League in Rio de Janeiro, a qualified audience was present. Among them was none other than Rebeca Andrade, the gold medalist from Paris. The Brazilian gymnast enjoyed the match between Flamengo and Praia Clube alongside her teammate, Flávia Saraiva.

As reported by No Ataque, even though she was watching an interesting game of volleyball, she didn’t shy away from giving her insights on her rivalry with Biles, stating, “We support each other a lot, we root for each other a lot. We know how hard it is to be present at competitions, how much it demands on our body, our mind, and everything that we are, right? So being able to represent this ‘rivalry’ that everyone talks about in such a healthy and enjoyable way is really cool, I root for her a lot.”

Interestingly, she mocked the rivalry, as the gymnast had nothing but respect for her fellow gymnasts. Andrade acknowledged that the sport already takes a big toll on her and other participants, so being able to perform under that pressure and keep the rivalry between them in a sportsmanship-like manner is something that she is proud of.

She understood the emotions that fans have around such rivalries, but maintaining a positive relationship with Biles was something she appreciated. The Brazilian gymnast even revealed that there were times when she supported the American and was delighted by her achievements throughout her stellar career. The sportsmanship between them is something many fans admire, as the two have stood by each other when it was needed the most.

Rebeca Andrade went candid about Simone Biles’ help

Rebeca Andrade and Simone Biles have never hesitated to appreciate each other in interviews. The American gymnast has often mentioned that the Brazilian is one of the athletes who consistently provides her with the challenge she needs in international events. However, beyond their competitiveness on stage, Andrade once shared how Biles was one of the few people who stood by her during her darkest times—when she was recovering from serious injuries in her career.

“After my injury, I was in one of the darkest phases of my career, and she helped me get out of the slump. So when I picked up the win, I felt I owed her for helping me get through the tough times,” the Brazilian gymnast stated in an interview after the Paris Olympics. She realized that Biles was not just her competitor but also a friend she could rely on during such difficult times, and was this also the case for the American gymnast? Yes, it was. Biles acknowledged the sportsmanship that they have and how Andrade’s performance made her push beyond her existing limits in the sport.