Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles created an iconic photo on the Olympic podium today (5 August) when they bowed in the ultimate act of sportsmanship.
The US gymnasts scooped up silver and bronze in the floor event of the Artistic Gymnastics as Brazil’s Rebecca Andrade won gold.
It was Biles’ final event of the Paris Olympics as she truly solidified her GOAT status with a gold in the all around, vault and team events.
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And she and teammate Chiles showed total respect for the Brazilian who scored a mega 14.166 (ahead of the American’s 14.133) when they were awarded their medals. As the Andrade stepped up to the podium to become the most decorated Brazilian in Olympic history, the US stars took to their knees.
Having gone viral on social media all afternoon since, Biles and Chiles bowed down to the gold medallist, waving their arms up and down as they celebrated her huge achievement.
While fans praised the pair for this golden moment, the GOAT gymnast said it was simply ‘the right thing to do’.
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“I love Rebeca, she’s incredible,” Biles said. “She’s so amazing, a queen, it was an all-black podium so that was super exciting for us and then Jordan said ‘shall we bow to her’ and I said ‘absolutely’ – that’s why we did.
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“She’s so exciting to watch and it was the right thing to do.”
Chiles went on to call the Brazilian an ‘icon, a legend’.
“So I feel like being recognised is what everybody should do when it comes to somebody who's put in the work and dedication,” the gymnast explained.
"I was like, 'You know what? Why don't we just give her her flowers?' She's given a lot of us in the United States our flowers as well.
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“So, giving it back is what makes it so beautiful. So I felt like it was needed."
Andrade went on to say the iconic moment was ‘so caring’ as she got the love from her fellow medallists.
“We were talking about everything that was going on [backstage]. They are the best in the world.
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“So, a scene like that means a lot to me. It’s so grand and I feel so honoured, we are always rooting for the best for all.
She added: "As I said, we know how hard it is, the final was hard for everyone. So it was an honour."
Topics: Olympics, Simone Biles, Viral, Social Media, Sport
Jess Battison