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The US Sun
Michelle Obama defends Simone Biles after Team USA superstar was slammed for ‘disgusting’ gesture in Paris
By Jamie Gordon,
4 hours ago
MICHELLE Obama has thrown her support behind Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles after they were blasted on social media.
The Team USA gymnasts bowed down to Brazilian gold medallist Rebeca Andrade on the podium at the Paris Olympics.
Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles hailed Rebeca Andrade AP Michelle Obama was a huge fan of the sporting gesture Getty Marlon Humphrey took a dim view of the podium display Getty
Commenting on a picture of the trio on the podium, he wrote “This is literally disgusting.”
But the former First Lady had a different take.
“I’m still not over this beautiful moment of sisterhood and sportsmanship!” Obama wrote on X.
“You can just feel the love shining through these ladies. Congrats Rebeca, Jordan and Simone!”
Andrade has fought a horrific series of injuries to stand on top of the podium.
And fans criticized Humphrey for his take.
“Yeah, because giving someone their flowers who has come back from THREE ACL tears to continue to be a top gymnast is disgusting,” posted one.
“Dude, Andrade returned from THREE ACL tears. Not that good sportsmanship needs an excuse, but that’s incredible. She deserves all the praise in the world,” added another.
“Get to a final and win something. Then you can talk,” wrote a third.
“You’re now famous in Brazil, man, and not for something good,” a fourth wrote.
Humphrey later revealed that he was getting roasted in “Brazilian” – Portuguese is the language spoken in Brazil.
“I’m lowkey getting cooked right now. I think I’m getting cussed out in Brazilian on Instagram lol,” he wrote.
On Tuesday, Biles appeared on the Today show and defended her decision while applauding Andrade.
'Mother hen' Biles
Simone Biles' first coach Aimee Boorman exclusively told The U.S. Sun that she thinks Biles will be spurred by a new role this year.
“Having younger teammates benefits her because she has stepped in as the mother hen figure,” said Aimee.
“And so she has to tell them to stay calm. You’ve got this. You’re prepared. And so as she’s saying it, she’s also hearing it.
“You always have tiny kids that come into the gym, but they’re never ripped like Simone was,” she said.
“I know she was very self-conscious about it growing up. But from a coaching perspective, it was great.
“I didn’t think that Simone would be a multi gold medal athlete straight away.
“But she did stand out because she was very tiny, but very muscular.”
“I think it’s all about sportsmanship, and we don’t care whether we win or lose,” the 27-year-old said.
“We’re always going to keep a good face and support our competitors because they’ve worked just as hard as we have for that moment.
“You have to give them their flowers and that’s exactly what me and Jordan were doing. We were so happy for her.
“She deserved it, she had the best floor routine of the day, and of the Olympics.”
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Chiles received her first career medal after inquiring about her own score.
She originally placed fifth but submitted a challenge to judges and received a tenth back on her final score as a skill in her Gogean routine, a split leap with a 1.5-turn, was originally not credited.
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