As the current top exponents of gymnastics, also competing in one of the greatest rivalries in the history of this discipline, without losing respect for each other and always maintaining a friendly relationship, Rebeca Andrade and Simone Biles starred in an emotional moment at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Both athletes managed to put a total of four medals around their necks in this edition of the Olympics, while Rebeca Andrade became the most medallist in the history of Brazil, Simone Biles increased her legacy, currently being the second gymnast with the most medals in history, only behind the Ukrainian legend Larisa Latynina.
Quem é a número um, Rebeca? 🥇#TimeBrasil #JogosOlímpicos #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/b4ZLnTdtrt
— Time Brasil (@timebrasil) August 5, 2024
However, Andrade said that Simone Biles could not surpass Latynina’s medal record, as she confessed to him that she is considering retiring and not participating in the next Olympic Games, those of Los Angeles in 2028.
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At the headquarters of the Olympic Committee in France, Rebeca Andrade revealed a brief conversation she had with the talented American gymnast, who left her continuity on the big stages of gymnastics up in the air.
Simone Biles faz revelação à Rebeca Andrade. 👉 https://t.co/xyzECcZxc3#ESPNemParis pic.twitter.com/7vG7c0BwCY
— ESPN Brasil (@ESPNBrasil) August 10, 2024
“She, Flávia and I were talking very calmly and she asked me if we were going to continue training after Paris. I told her I didn’t know yet and asked her if she would continue training. Then she told me: ‘No, for me it’s over’,” said Andrade, who claims she didn’t like what she heard.
“I told her: ‘No, gymnastics needs you, people need you.’ After that, she took off the crown and put it on my head. I told her: ‘No, my daughter, don’t do that,’” Rebeca said with a laugh.
A few days ago, rumors of a possible withdrawal by Simone Biles due to an alleged pregnancy were dismissed by official sources, but these statements by Rebeca Andrade, her friend and rival, indicate that the American is seriously considering the possibility of not participating in the next Olympic Games and her presence in the next World Artistic Gymnastics Championship is also in doubt.
Simone Biles has not yet made any statements on the matter, but it should be noted that the athlete has already temporarily retired from the stage to focus on her mental health. The decision may not have been made yet, but Rebecca expressed her regret at the possibility of not competing against this historic athlete.
