Brazilian Olympic superstar Rebeca Andrade has paid tribute to Team USA duo Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles for their iconic podium tribute following the Floor event.
Andrade got the better of Biles in what could be her last-ever Olympic competition, taking gold on the Floor, with the Brazilian becoming the first in her country's history to do so.
Biles came home in second following some deductions in her routine, with Floor being a competition she's rarely beaten at, while Chiles was awarded third following a review.
As the trio were all smiles on the podium, American duo Biles and Chiles bowed down to Andrade, with the 25-year-old the likely torch-bearer for the sport should Biles walk away. "It was sensational, I think they understood that. It was also a moment, it was a very special and important moment for me," Andrade said.
"And at the same time, for us, there were three black women representing so many things," Andrade continued. "It was so special, it was historic, had never happened, you know, so I don’t think it was bow just for me but for all the girls, women, and all the people that fought so hard to show that it is possible, you know that it can happen, that we deserve to be there."
Biles had also hailed Andrade as the toughest competitor she has ever had to go up against. "You only know your story and what story you want to tell," Andrade said. "And the one we wanted to tell was that despite being opponents in the gym, there is no rivalry between us because we always support each other regardless of where we are."
Biles completed an epic comeback to gymnastics after withdrawing from competition at the Tokyo Games three years ago. The 27-year-old, who won three golds and a silver in Paris, revealed she goes to therapy weekly.
"And I am really rooting for her (Simone), I was very happy that she came back after such a difficult period and time in Tokyo when she had to give up," Andrade added. The Floor event got messy following the medals ceremony, though, with Chiles being stripped of her bronze medal .
Romainia's Ana Barbosu was then placed back into third having originally finished there before the review that pushed Chiles up into the medals. "It’s a mess," Andrade said.
"We don’t know what the end will be like but the girls asked for an appeal of note, so you can review everything that’s happening. But I really don’t know how the FIG will solve this."
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