Michelle Obama touched by Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles bowing down to Rebecca Andrade after the floor finals at Paris Olympics 2024

Former First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama applauded Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles for their sportsmanship towards Brazilian champion Rebeca Andrade. Following the conclusion of the floor exercise finals at the Olympics in Paris, a stunning moment was captured in which the American gymnasts bowed down to Andrade.

Biles and the US gymnastics team demonstrated their dominance at the ongoing Paris Games, securing a total of eight medals to conclude their French campaign on a triumphant note. The American lineup of Biles, Jordan Chiles, Suni Lee, and Jade Carey clinched the team all-around gold on July 30, after besting Italy and Brazil in the finals. Biles subsequently secured the individual all-around gold on August 1, followed by a gold in vault on August 3 and a silver in floor exercise on August 5.

On the final day of gymnastics on Monday, August 5, Biles tripped off the balance beam and could only score 13.100 to finish fifth in the finals. However, she rebounded strongly in the floor exercise, earning a silver medal with a score of 14.133. Jordan Chiles placed third to bag the bronze, concluding her Paris event on a high. Brazil's Rebeca Andrade, who provided fierce competition to Biles throughout the event, stood atop the podium in the floor exercise after scoring 14.166.

After Andrade, Biles, and Chiles were awarded their floor exercise medals, the two Americans paid homage to Andrade with a bow on the podium, demonstrating their admiration and respect for the Brazilian gymnast. This heartwarming gesture went viral, capturing the attention of Michelle Obama, who shared The Olympic Games' photo on her X handle platform and expressed her appreciation. She wrote:

"I’m still not over this beautiful moment of sisterhood and sportsmanship! You can just feel the love shining through these ladies. Congrats Rebeca, Jordan and Simone!"

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"Just so full of emotion" - Simone Biles on her Paris Olympics campaign

Artistic Gymnastics - Olympic Games Paris 2024: Day 10 - (Source: Getty)

Simone Biles returned to the Olympic stage in Paris with a determination to rewrite the narrative of her Tokyo 2020 experience, where a shocking case of the "twisties" prematurely ended her campaign. Overcoming adversity with extraordinary resilience, the 27-year-old Ohio native not only redeemed herself but cemented her legacy as the greatest gymnast of all time, amassing an unparalleled 11 Olympic medals.

Reflecting on her campaign, the gymnastics icon stated (via NBC TODAY):

"I think I was just so full of emotion and I finally released all of that. I was so proud, happy, bittersweet that the journey’s over. It’s so crazy, it happened to quick. My third Olympics!"

Simone Biles said, "Never say never," when questioned about her participation in the next edition (LA 2028 Games) of the quadrennial event, which will be held on her home turf.