Epic gymnastics podium photo sends social media into meltdown
The Paris Games have produced countless viral moments, but the latest entrant may top them all in a truly incredible Olympic display.
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Olympic gymnastics from Paris ended with one final magical twirl.
After the conclusion of the women’s floor exercise final on Tuesday (AEST), podium finishers Rebeca Andrade, Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles took a photo with one another, the NY Post reports.
The fun, though, was that Biles and Chiles bowed in honour of the gold medallist Andrade, who raised her arms triumphantly while smiling.
“This is everything,” wrote the official Olympics X account on the post, which amassed over 24 million views in less than 12 hours of being shared.
The 25-year-old Andrade narrowly defeated Biles to win gold, besting the American star with a 14.166 score compared to Biles’ 14.133.
Meanwhile, Chiles wound up with bronze on inquiry at 13.766 for her first individual Olympic medal; she medalled in two team competitions, including winning gold this year.
Andrade’s win was her first gold medal of the 2024 Games after notching two silvers (individual all-around and women’s vault), plus a bronze in team all-around.
The Brazilian also went toe-to-toe with Team USA’s loaded line-up three years ago in Tokyo, winning gold in vault and silver in all-around.
A second straight Olympics pitting Andrade against Biles proved intense — yet inspired mutual respect.
“I don’t want to compete with Rebeca no more. I’m tired!” Biles said, according to USA Today. “It’s way too close. … It definitely put me on my toes, and it brought out the best athlete in myself. So I’m excited and proud to compete with her but … I don’t like it!”
Chiles also wanted to reciprocate a showing of support.
“Why don’t we just give her her flowers? Not only has she given Simone her flowers, but a lot of us in the United States, our flowers as well,” Chiles said. “So giving it back is what makes it so beautiful. So I felt like it was needed.”
Biles eked out a vault gold win over Andrade but stumbled on the balance beam, dropping her to fifth place.
Nonetheless, the gymnast many dub the GOAT still earned four overall medals from Paris, including three in gold.
This article originally appeared on the NY Post and was reproduced with permission.
Originally published as Epic gymnastics podium photo sends social media into meltdown
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