WATCH: Simone Biles wins hearts by bowing down to Brazil's Rebeca Andrade after missing Olympic gold

PARIS, FRANCE: Simone Biles won silver in the women’s floor exercise final on Monday, August 5 at the 2024 Paris Olympics, bringing her total to four medals, including three golds this year. It is the first time she has not won gold in a floor exercise final.

Despite being edged out of the gold medal, what captivated the audience was her and bronze medal winner Jordan Chiles' gesture of sisterhood when they bowed down to Brazil's Rebeca Andrade on the podium, who won the gold medal.

Simone Biles predicted Rebeca Andrade's Olympic win

The medal is the 11th in Simone Biles’ Olympic career, seven of which are gold. Biles led the US to gold in the team final, won gold in the all-around and vault finals, and finished fifth in the balance beam final earlier Monday, August 5.

Andrade became the most decorated Brazilian athlete in history after finishing in Paris with four medals: one gold, two silver, and one bronze. Biles scored 14.133 to take second place behind Andrade, who earned 14.166, while Chiles won bronze with a score of 13.766.

Biles stepped out of bounds twice during her routine and re-taped her calf ahead of her floor routine, which she had tweaked during qualifying rounds on July 28.

Before Biles' score was announced, she was heard on camera speculating on what may happen on the podium. "I think she got that one. I think Rebeca got this one," Biles said. "Oh, I'm scared," the American gymnast said as per Today.

Simone Biles praises Rebeca Andrade's competitiveness

After the medal ceremony, Simone Biles continued to gush over Rebeca Andrade. "I have so much respect for her. She's such a good competitor," she said.

"She keeps me on my toes. It’s an honor to get to compete with her," said added.

Biles had previously echoed a similar sentiment after winning the women's all-around finals, where Andrade finished closely behind her to secure the silver medal.

"I don’t want to compete with Rebeca anymore! I’m tired. She’s very close to me — I’ve never had an athlete so close," Biles said during a press conference.

"This definitely kept me alert and brought out the best athlete in me. So I’m excited and proud to compete with her, but — no," she continued. "I’ve never been so stressed before. Thank you, Rebeca."

Yet on Monday, Biles expressed contentment over what she has accomplished so far in gymnastics. "I’ve accomplished way more than my wildest dreams, not just at these Olympics but in gymnastics," she said in a news conference Monday according to USA Today.

"Walking away with four medals, I’m not mad about it. I’m pretty proud of myself," Biles added.

Internet reacts as Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles bow down to Rebeca Andrade

Netizens exploded with appreciation after the Olympics handle posted a picture of Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles bowing down to Rebeca Andrade on the podium.

Nancy Armour, the USA Today columnist, described on X (formerly Twitter) that it was Chiles who asked Biles, "Should we bow to her?" And the latter replied, "Absolutely." "It was just the right thing to do," said Armour.

"Respect! This is what makes sports so beautiful. Congrats," wrote one on X. 

Another wrote, "I can’t look at this photo without getting goosebumps and my eyes tearing up," said the user.

"Women supporting other women. Beautiful," penned another. "Best sportsmanship photo of all time, even the greatest gymnast bows," wrote someone else.

"I can say that these are the best images of gymnastics in the world. The fact that Simone Biles, being the queen of gymnastics, is exalting and taking pride in Rebeca Andrade's achievement with her gold medal makes her much greater than she already is," one wrote on Instagram.

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