I love how this generation of athletes have just made gymnastics more fun. The girls of previous generations always seemed tortured but these girls looked like they were having fun and enjoying themselves. Maybe it was scary when they were out there but they were enjoying themselves.
This seems like the first Olympics where I watched so many athletes root for their competition. Pole vault, surfing, gymnastics, diving, and skateboarding is where I saw it the most.
Simone’s encouragement must have been a real “Biles” of support!
Simone is an amazing role model. Proud to have her represent the USA.
>Again, she underwent surgery, and again, she started preparing for a comeback. Her performance when she reached the 2018 world championships in Qatar was underwhelming. She didn’t medal in a single event. Doubts — potentially fatal to the individual athlete — began to invade her thoughts.
>When the meet was over, Andrade sat by herself, outside the hotel lobby on a bench. That was when she saw Biles. The American, already a superstar, had medaled in every event, the first woman to do so in decades. Andrade watched as Biles glided past.
>Then the American turned. She sat down next to Andrade.
>“It was such a kind moment, so affectionate, because there was no one else around,” Andrade said. “She told me, ‘Don’t give up. You’re talented. And you’re going to get past this.’”
>At the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Olympics in 2021, she earned gold on vault and silver in the all-around competition, making her one of Brazil’s top sports stars. She looked for Biles. The American had bowed out of the Games after suffering the “twisties,” a mental disconnect between mind and body. But even in that moment, Andrade could see Biles cheering her on.
>Andrade returned the affection, lauding Biles’s return to competition last year.
>“The best in the world was able to show us that things can happen, and you can get past it, and return,” Andrade said.
7 comments
GOATs get better by improving their competition (among other ways).
Love that SB is a friendly top competitor!
This is awesome, and in no way surprises me. See how Simone always supports Rebeca Andrade.
EDIT: [Article](https://olympics.com/en/news/paris-2024-artistic-gymnastics-kaylia-nemour-exclusive-interview).
I love how this generation of athletes have just made gymnastics more fun. The girls of previous generations always seemed tortured but these girls looked like they were having fun and enjoying themselves. Maybe it was scary when they were out there but they were enjoying themselves.
This seems like the first Olympics where I watched so many athletes root for their competition. Pole vault, surfing, gymnastics, diving, and skateboarding is where I saw it the most.
Simone’s encouragement must have been a real “Biles” of support!
Simone is an amazing role model. Proud to have her represent the USA.
To show how awesome Simone is, from an article [I posted](https://www.reddit.com/r/Gymnastics/comments/1eopdi9/great_preaa_article_simone_biles_urged_rebeca/) in the Gymnastics sub about Rebeca:
>Again, she underwent surgery, and again, she started preparing for a comeback. Her performance when she reached the 2018 world championships in Qatar was underwhelming. She didn’t medal in a single event. Doubts — potentially fatal to the individual athlete — began to invade her thoughts.
>When the meet was over, Andrade sat by herself, outside the hotel lobby on a bench. That was when she saw Biles. The American, already a superstar, had medaled in every event, the first woman to do so in decades. Andrade watched as Biles glided past.
>Then the American turned. She sat down next to Andrade.
>“It was such a kind moment, so affectionate, because there was no one else around,” Andrade said. “She told me, ‘Don’t give up. You’re talented. And you’re going to get past this.’”
>At the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Olympics in 2021, she earned gold on vault and silver in the all-around competition, making her one of Brazil’s top sports stars. She looked for Biles. The American had bowed out of the Games after suffering the “twisties,” a mental disconnect between mind and body. But even in that moment, Andrade could see Biles cheering her on.
>Andrade returned the affection, lauding Biles’s return to competition last year.
>“The best in the world was able to show us that things can happen, and you can get past it, and return,” Andrade said.