Despite making history during the all-around finals at the Paris Games on Thursday with an electrifying performance, a step inside Simone Biles’ head revealed an eye-catching revelation.
Enter Rebeca Andrade, the 25-year-old Brazilian gymnast who had the American nervous as her top threat in the field.
“I don’t want to compete with Rebeca no more,” Biles said after her 59.131 to 57.932 edge over Andrade.
Andrade forced Biles to work for this latest gold medal, with the American trailing Andrade after a mistake on the uneven bars in the second rotation.
Biles received a score of 13.733 points – the only time the American has fallen below the 14-point mark.
A score of 14.566 on the balance beam – the highest among the 24 finalists on the night – put Biles back in the lead after the third rotation.
“I’m tired. She’s way too close. I’ve never had an athlete that close, so it definitely put me on my toes and it brought out the best athlete in myself,” Biles said.
“So I’m excited and proud to compete with her … but I’m getting uncomfortable guys. I don’t like that feeling – I was stressed. It’s good. I’m gonna hand it to her now – she can have the rest.”
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The pair have emerged as top rivals in the sport over the past year.
At last year’s World Championships, Andrade finished with the gold-medal performance, with Biles taking silver.
Biles’ win Thursday made her the oldest gymnast to win gold in the competition, boosting her total medal count to a whopping 39.
She still has the chance to add three more gold medals to her flourishing closet for the vault, floor exercise and balance beam.
“It was really cool, knowing that I made her work, right?” Andrade said following the neck-and-neck competition.
“It’s an honor to be able to compete next to her.”
Social media also took note of the clash between the two.
One user wrote on X, “I love that she says this about Rebeca. She pushes her to be the best athlete she can be, and she is so close. Real ones recognize champions. Simone and Rebeca are champions. Love this.”
“Game recognizes game,” another user added.
