Simone Biles has responded to criticisms regarding her gesture of respect towards Rebeca Andrade after their floor routine finals at the Olympics this Monday. Following Andrade’s win, where she returned from multiple ACL injuries to secure Olympic gold, Biles and her teammate Jordan Chiles celebrated Andrade’s victory on the podium.
This act, however, drew sharp criticism from Baltimore Ravens player Marlon Humphrey, who expressed his disapproval on social media, calling the moment “literally disgusting” in reaction to a SportsCenter tweet showcasing the event. Andrade, from Brazil, took home her first gold medal in Paris, overcoming three ACL injuries, while the American gymnasts Biles and Chiles finished second and third respectively.
Simone Biles recently spoke out on the ‘TODAY’ show to defend her gesture of sportsmanship toward a South American gymnast. According to Biles, the spirit of competition is about more than just winning or losing.
“It’s all about sportsmanship,” she stated, as reported by the Daily Mail. “We always aim to maintain a positive demeanor and support our fellow competitors, acknowledging the hard work they put in just like we do.”
Biles emphasized the importance of recognizing and celebrating the achievements of others, noting that she and fellow gymnast Jordan Chiles were thrilled to honor their competitor who delivered an outstanding floor routine, not only of the day but of the Olympics.
The conversation around Biles was further fueled by negative comments from Marlon Humphrey, which were not well received by the public. On social media, Humphrey faced backlash for his remarks, with users defending the act of honoring a fellow athlete, particularly one who has overcome significant injuries like three ACL tears.
One user pointed out the frequent support NFL players show for rivals, questioning why gymnasts would be criticized for similar respect.
Humphrey later acknowledged the intense reactions on social media, noting that he was being heavily criticized by Brazilians, although he admitted his lack of familiarity with their language.
In her interview, Simone Biles expressed profound admiration for Rebeca Andrade, acknowledging that the Brazilian gymnast pushed her to her limits during the competition. “I’ve never had an athlete challenge me so closely,” Biles commented.
“It definitely kept me on my toes and helped me bring out my best. I’m excited and proud to have competed with her.
I’ve never felt so stressed before. Thank you, Rebeca.”
Biles had an outstanding Olympic performance, securing three gold medals and one silver, making her the most decorated American female gymnast in history. Additionally, there was a mention of fans reacting to her NFL star husband, Jonathan Owens, wearing her gold medal.
