Simone Biles Didn't Hesitate When Naming Her Biggest Olympic Rival

Simone Biles wowed once again during women's qualification at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Despite suffering an injury scare when she tweaked her calf during a floor routine warmup, the all-time great American gymnast finished Day 1 with pole position heading into Tuesday's finals.

Biles holds the No. 1 spot with 59.566 points. At No. 2 is her biggest challenger: Brazilian gymnast Rebeca Andrade (57.700).

In her recent documentary series, Simone Biles Rising , Biles identified Andrade as her biggest rival heading into the Paris Olympics.

"Rebeca Andrade. She scares me the most," Biles said.

Andrade is the reigning world and Olympic vaulting champion. The Brazilian gymnast claimed gold in the vault at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics following Biles' withdrawal from the event.

More recently, Andrade narrowly beat out Biles in the vault at the 2023 World Championships. Biles won gold in three other individual World Championship events, sharing the podium with Andrade in the individual all-around, balance beam and floor.

Biles and Andrade clearly share a great deal of mutual respect. Andrade talked about the "honor" of facing off against Biles in a recent interview.

“It’s about doing my best, and I hope [Biles] does, too. That she does her best because it’s an honor to be able to compete alongside her,” Andrade said.

Biles, Andrade and the other qualifying women have Monday off while the men compete in the team final. The women's final will take place on Tuesday.