A heartwarming display of sportsmanship by two American gymnasts has taken social media by storm, becoming a viral shot that is likely to be etched in the memories of the Paris Olympics.
During the women’s floor final, after Brazilian gymnast Rebeca Andrade claimed gold, Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles, who finished second and third respectively, turned to Andrade from the lower section of the podium and bowed in recognition of her victory.
The gesture, marking the first all-Black Olympic gymnastics podium, has garnered widespread praise on social media, with many celebrating the display of respect and camaraderie.
The Olympics’ official X account shared a photo of the moment, captioning it “This is everything” and garnering over 26 million views. The Louvre Museum, in a playful response, even suggested the photo should be displayed in their iconic art collection.
Despite a disappointing performance due to landing out of bounds, Biles acknowledged Andrade’s triumph, calling her “queen” and expressing her excitement about the historic all-Black podium.
Chiles, who secured bronze, emphasized the importance of recognizing Andrade’s hard work and dedication. Both gymnasts emphasized the significance of the all-Black podium and their desire to show respect for Andrade’s accomplishments.
