Simone Biles did win the Olympic all-around gold in Paris, but her heart pounded every time Rebeca Andrade went to perform. In a spectacular display of women’s artistic gymnastics at its best, Rebeca Andrade and Simone Biles went toe to toe until the last routine. While scores will say Biles(59.131) was way ahead of Andrade(57.932), the reality was quite the opposite. In fact, at one point after the second rotation, Rebeca Andrade was comfortably leading the charts, threatening to snatch the limelight from the G.O.A.T. 

Rebeca Andrade started off exceptionally, clinching 15.100 in the vault. And this is when Simone Biles began to feel the temperature rising. She was not supposed to attempt the Yurchenko Double Pike. But the need of the hour forced Biles to tweak her routine at the last possible moment. 

This information was confirmed by an X post from Gymnastics Now. The post read, “Simone wasn’t planning on doing the Yurchenko double pike originally, but she knows how “phenomenal of an athlete” Rebeca is, so she had to “bring out the big guns this time.” Executing the vault to perfection, Biles scored a whopping 15.766 to take the lead initially. Reflecting on the close contest with the Brazilian, Simone Biles said, “I don’t want to compete with Rebeca no more. I’m trying. She’s way too close. I’ve never had an athlete that close, so it definitely put me on my toes.” Surely, the tension was palpable with each round bringing in new changes. 

Going up on the uneven bars, Simone Biles did not have the best of the outing. A bent knee on the low bar saw Biles’ score plummet down to 13.733. Andrade capitalized on this opportunity and got herself a 14.666. This was a significant lead that rang the alarm bells all over the stadium. Adding insult to the injury, Algerian gymnast Kaylia Nemour notched up 15.533 to push Biles to the third position. 

And it was right at this moment that the inner G.O.A.T within Simone Biles decided to wake up. For in the last two apparatuses, the world saw a Simone Biles special. Mounting on the balance beam, Biles glided with ease, followed by a smooth but confident dismount. The scorecards flashed 14.566 while Biles clawed back to number one. But the battle was on. Getting a solid 14.133, Rebeca Andrade was breathing on the neck of the 2016 all-around champion. With all to play for in the fourth rotation, Simone Biles’ years of hard work and skills exploded in a perfect symphony of ecstatic excellence. Owning the floor, Biles clinched a whopping 15.066 to finally overcome the Brazilian challenge and complete her monumental comeback. However, amidst all the triumphant glitz, Simone Biles had something to say that might upset her fans. 

Simone Biles to retire from gymnastics? 

Simone Biles has been training very hard since her childhood to witness the glory days. However, in the process, she has put her mind and body through tremendous stress and has also sacrificed her social life considerably. Well, now that she has proved herself to be the GOAT, fans are speculating whether it is time for the US gymnastics queen to hang up her leotards for good. Reflecting on the burning question, Simone Biles did not give a definitive answer when asked prior to the Paris games. 

Speaking in an exclusive interview with El Paso Inc., Biles said, “I would never say never and I think that would be amazing to (do this) after every Olympic cycle… I think that would be a beautiful thing. But right now I can’t tell you yes or no … because I don’t know what life will look like in the next few years to come.” However, moments after winning her 6th Olympic gold medal, Biles hinted at her possible retirement. 

Heaping praises on her arch-rival Rebeca Andrade, Biles stated, “It’s good. I’m gonna hand it to her now – she can have the rest.” Well, while this was definitely not an announcement, but the message might have been delivered in between the lines. But as of now, these discussions will be kept aside for a separate day. It is now time for the world to stand up and hail the gymnastics queen in all her glory.