"I had decided that I was going to end my career" - Simone Biles' rival Rebeca Andrade reflects on her Paris 2024 experience

Rebeca Andrade said in an interview with Vogue Brasil that she had originally planned to retire after the 2024 Paris Olympics. Andrade won a gold medal, two silvers, and one bronze medal in Paris but the gymnast's most memorable experience according to her was having her mother watch her win those medals.

Andrade is regarded as one the most successful gymnasts after Simone Biles, with both having made their Olympic debuts at the 2016 Rio Games. Though Andrade didn't win any medals, she won a gold and a silver at the delayed Tokyo Olympics in the absence of Biles. However, her biggest moment came at the 2024 Paris Olympics, beating the American for the gold medal on her signature floor exercise.

It marked the Brazilian's second Olympic gold medal. Following the event, Biles and bronze medalist Jordan Chiles bowed down to her on the podium to celebrate the first all-back podium. However, Andrade's favorite memory from the Games is still watching her mother celebrate her victories.

The 25-year-old said (via Vogue Brasil):

“I had decided that I was going to end my career after these Olympics, so I wanted my mother to be able to watch me at least once, since she couldn't go to Tokyo. Seeing her excited and proud, celebrating my achievements was the most beautiful moment of this edition for me.”

Andrade hasn't specified why exactly she changed her decision to retire after the Olympics.

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"The girls felt that the moment was special for me" - Rebeca Andrade on Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles bowing to her on the podium

Artistic Gymnastics - Olympic Games Paris 2024: Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles bow to Rebeca Andrade (Source: Getty)

Rebeca Andrade nailed her floor exercise during the event finals in Paris to win her maiden Olympic gold medal in the event. The USA's Simone Biles settled for second place after a shaky routine while Jordan Chiles was awarded the bronze medal, before being stripped of it by the IOC.

In a heartwarming display of support, Biles and Chiles bowed down to Andrade after she received her gold medal and it meant a lot to the Brazilian gymnast.

"The girls felt that that moment was very special for me. It was a surprise that made me very happy, honored and I think it accomplished something huge," Rebeca Andrade said in the interview with Vogue Brasil.

She also highlighted the significance of the moment for black athletes in general, saying:

"Three black women, athletes occupying a space where it was previously rare to see even one black person, imagine three! That single image represents a gigantic community that has often been prevented from dreaming. We have shown that it is possible."

Andrade expressed her desire to compete at the 2028 L.A. Olympics, and if Biles also decides to prolong her career till 2028, it could well be another display of gymnastics royalty in the quadrennial event.