Stressed Simone Biles Calmed Down by Rebeca Andrade With Unexpected Gesture at Paris Olympics

The crowds at the Bercy Arena watched Team USA’s women gymnastics team clinch gold in a thrilling show on July 30th. But Simone Biles returns to the mat on August 1 to claim another Olympic medal to her name. After her heartbreaking withdrawal from the 2020 Tokyo Summer Games, the stakes are higher than ever! The G.O.A.T started out strong on the vault by flawlessly executing the Biles II. But things seemed to slip out of her grasp around the uneven bars. Even though she was on the top of the table by the end of the first rotation, she dropped down to the 3rd position by the end of rotation 2.

Her ‘rival’ Rebeca Andrade seemed to be having a better day, nailing her routines on the vault and uneven bar herself. Even though she was hot on the 27-year-old’s tail coming into the competition, she slipped past her, comfortably placing herself on the top. Undeterred, Biles seemed to be focused on pulling herself back up with her next performance – the beam. Despite losing balance midway through, she stuck her landing perfectly. However, while she waited for the score, the Brazilian noticed her pacing around and decided to silently encourage and calm her down.

Simone Biles clinched an all-around gold back in Rio 2016, and she has done it yet again at the French capital! Her fellow teammate and contender, Suni Lee claimed it as her own when Biles stepped down in Tokyo. However, Rebeca Andrade has asserted herself as a formidable foe, rising above the former reigning champions in Bercy Arena. After her flawless routine on the beam, the Olympian looked slightly frazzled. When Andrade took notice, she extended her hand to the elite gymnast with a smile on her face. The 27-year-old gracefully accepted it, reciprocating her thoughtfulness.

However, Biles had nothing to worry about. Her effortless routine, albeit a minor slip up, scored an impressive 14.566. With a total of 44.065, she pulled herself back on the table for a fair shot of making it to the podium. However, Andrade seems to be inching her way closer. She secured the second position by the end of the third rotation. A fan shared a glimpse of their moment on X, captioned “GOATs 🐐.” Why was this gesture by the Brazilian so beautiful? The 27-year-old had previously stepped away from the sport due to how it affected her mental health. Andrade’s thoughtful gesture adds just another layer to their beautiful friendship off the mat.

The two gymnasts are so much more than their sport

Amidst a rousing roar of cheers from stands in the fans, the spotlight is on both Simone Biles and Rebeca Andrade. However, while the two are ready for an epic showdown on the mat, they’re great friends off the mat. During the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Belguim, fans witnessed yet another beautiful moment between the two. While both of them did extremely well throughout, many couldn’t get over what happened right after.

As Andrade, Biles, and Flavia Saraiva were stood on the podium, the G.O.A.T took an imaginary crown off her head and placed it on the Brazilian’s. Overcome by joy, the 25-year-old couldn’t do much but giggle and bow, taking it all in. Fans were over the moon by this beautiful gesture of women supporting women. In a true circle moment, it all came together at the Bercy Arena on August 1. After the 27-year-old’s flawless floor routine, Andrade was all smiles as she embraced her. Simone Biles walked away with yet another Olympic gold.

Simone Biles and Rebeca Andrade locked horns one last time at the Bercy Arena on August 5. While the former was looking to add yet another gold to her Paris Olympics collection, the latter was hoping to return home with more than just the silvers she won. The Brazilian made her way to the mat. Her routine during the qualification received a 13.9. But this time around, she left no room for errors. Fierce. Sharp. Flawless. With a 14.166 she was at the top of the table, her Olympic dream inching closer.

It was now the G.O.A.T’s turn on the floor. As everyone watched with bated breath, she began her iconic routine. All she had to do was score higher than Andrade. Despite going out of the floor twice, a triple double and otherwise strong routine seemed to have worked its charm. But did she score higher than her ‘rival’? With an impressive score of 14.133, Biles had to settle for second. As the two stepped onto the podium, the 27-year-old and bronze medalist Jordan Chiles went down on their knees, bowing as Andrade beamed with joy. Do you have any favorite moments from the finals? Let us know in the comments!