In the gymnastics of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, Simone Biles was expected to be the center of the world’s attention. The American shined, but she faced a worthy rival, who is now emerging as the possible heir to the crown in world gymnastics once Biles retires: 25-year-old Brazilian Rebeca Andrade.
PUBLICIDAD
Andrade made history this Monday by winning the gold in the floor exercise and became the best medalist in the history of Brazil, in both the male and female categories.
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In these Games, the athlete has managed to step onto the podium four times (one gold, two silvers, and one bronze), which, added to the two times she did it in Tokyo 2020, surpasses the five times achieved by sailors Torben Grael and Robert Scheidt. Additionally, she has also become the first Brazilian athlete to step onto the podium four times in the same edition.
Who is Rebeca Andrade?
Born on May 8, 1999 in Guarulhos (São Paulo, Brazil), Rebeca started training at the early age of four at the Bonifácio Cardoso gym. Five years later, she moved to the south of the country and by the age of 10, she had already signed with the Flamengo Club in Rio de Janeiro, where she would win the Brazilian artistic gymnastics trophy.
However, the road was not easy. Up to three knee injuries forced him to undergo surgery three times between 2015 and 2019. In Tokyo 2020, his bad luck was compensated with the gold medal in vault and the silver medal in the all-around competition.
This Monday, the charismatic Brazilian, who always shares her experiences with her fans on social media, where she already has 9.1 million followers on her Instagram account, gave the first surprise of the day by beating Simone with 14,166 points, 33 more than the one from Ohio, to take home the gold medal.
In a gesture of mutual respect and sportsmanship, Biles and her compatriot Jordan Chiles, who completed the podium alongside Andrade, both American gymnasts, bowed to Rebeca.
"I love Rebeca, she is absolutely amazing. I can't say enough good things about her," said the American, who left the French capital with four more Olympic medals, bringing her total to eleven. "Rebeca is a queen. That's why we did it. It's very exciting to see her. Everyone cheers for her. It was the right thing to do," expressed Biles, who also appreciated Andrade's competition, adding: "She's the only one who stresses me out."