Bygones may be bygones, but the moments that leave a lasting impression often speak louder than any result. One such moment came when Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles bowed to Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade at the 2024 Paris Olympics. While it wasn’t the outcome Biles is accustomed to, losing to Andrade in the floor final at Bercy Arena may have felt unfamiliar for a champion so used to winning. Yet her response said it all. Biles understood the challenges Andrade had overcome over the years, and with that victory, Andrade became the first gymnast to defeat Biles in a major international floor final!

Hence, Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles ended up with silver and bronze in the floor exercise final at the 2024 Paris Olympics, finishing just behind Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade. So, they decided to bow to Andrade during the medal ceremony, showing their respect for her achievement. Andrade, now a two-time Olympic gold medalist with a total of six medals, received a cheer from the Brazilian crowd. “Rebeca, she’s so amazing, she’s a queen,” Biles said.

The bow was a last-minute decision, with Chiles suggesting the idea and both gymnasts quickly agreeing it was the perfect way to honor Andrade’s historic win on the podium. But what was the reason behind this gesture? According to a recent Vogue article, Biles explained, “That’s who Jordan and I are as people.”

Simone Biles elaborated that they wanted to honor Rebeca Andrade at that moment, acknowledging, “Win with grace, lose with grace, whatever that may be… We really wanted to give Rebeca her flowers in that moment, because she’s been through so much. And for the first time it was an all-Black podium, and we knew the importance of that—how many girls and boys all over the world would be excited. Jordan was just like, ‘Should we do this?’ and I was like, ‘Honestly, yes.’ If cameras weren’t there, we still would have done it.”

Rebeca Andrade also secured gold in the vault in Tokyo and helped Brazil win a bronze medal in the team final at the Paris Olympics. But this all came after a lot of struggle.

Rebeca Andrade overcoming struggles with Simone Biles’ support

The 25-year-old gymnast has endured three ACL tears in just four years. But after securing a medal in Paris, Andrade expressed, “I’ve worked so hard to achieve this. It’s just unbelievable. I had so much fun; every single moment has been sensational.” Andrade thought about giving up gymnastics sometimes because of her injuries. But Simone Biles—the most successful gymnast ever—motivated her to keep going.

In her Netflix documentary “Simone Biles Rising,” Biles acknowledged that Andrade is her rival and “scares me the most.” Andrade’s talent at the 2023 World Championships showcased why Biles respects her much.

During the 2023 World Championships event, when Biles clinched the gold and Andrade secured silver in the floor match-up, a heartwarming gesture unfolded as Biles gently placed the crowned honor on Andrade’s head. Andrade fondly reminisced about that moment and her pivotal contribution to the women’s team victory at the Paris Olympics, where they claimed their inaugural medal. “Simone is a reference for the entire world, not just for gymnastics but for many athletes.”

After they competed in Paris and amidst the excitement of the games events and results on the floor exercises where Andrade emerged victorious in securing the gold medal position of the podium celebration, Biles warmly commended Rebeca Andrade. With great admiration and respect for her talent and achievements, in the sport they both excel together on the global stage of gymnastics competitions.