Simone Biles and Team USA teammate Jordan Chiles bowed to Rebeca Andrade after the Brazilian won Olympic gold on the floor in Paris.
On Monday, Andrade became the first gymnast to beat the all-conquering Biles in a floor final in a major international competition. She posted a score of 14.166 that finished just ahead of Biles at 14.133.
Biles suffered for a couple of steps out of bounds, but still secured silver - her fourth medal in Paris and 11th Olympic medal overall. When joined on the podium by Chiles, the duo decided to honor Andrade.
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When the 25-year-old raised her arms to celebrate her victory, Biles and Chiles both got down on one knee and bowed to the triumphant rival. Biles revealed the moment came about after Chiles asked: "Should we bow to her?"
Biles replied: "Absolutely", explained: "It was just the right thing to do.”
The gesture was warmly received on social media, with one fan writing: "A picture sufficient enough to tell about the true spirit of the Olympics."
While Biles missed out on another gold in her signature event, the 27-year-old is returning to the United States with gold medals from the team, all-around, and vault finals along with the silver.
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Biles' overall medal total - made up of seven gold medals, two silvers, and two bronze - ties Czechoslovakia’s Vera Caslavska for the second-most by a female gymnast in Olympic history. She is pleased with her achievements in Paris, achieving redemption after her struggles in Tokyo three years ago.
“I can't be more proud of how I've done,” Biles said. “I’m 27 years old walking away from this Games with four medals to add to my collection. Not mad about it.”
With her time in Paris done and dusted, Biles already has her eyes on a possible return to the Olympics when the Games descend upon Los Angeles in 2028. Asked if she would take part, Biles said: “Never say never! The next Olympics is at home, so you just never know, but I am getting really old.”
Biles would be 31 years of age if she does decide to compete in LA, which is beyond the traditional prime for gymnasts. She would make more history if she medaled in four years; Soviet Union’s Maria Gorokhovskaya won the all-around gold medal in 1952 aged 30, the oldest woman to do so.
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