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Paris Olympics -

The 2024 Paris Olympics saw Biles’ full return to the Games, after she competed in very few events at the 2020 Summer Games. 

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Women’s team -

The competition was quite fierce at the women’s team event. Biles and her fellow USA team members were locking horns with competitors before finally scoring the highest points (171.296) and becoming the Olympic champions.

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Runner-ups -

While Biles and her team scored gold, the Italian team claimed silver (with 165.494 points) and Brazil secured bronze (164.497).

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Scoring -

Scores in gymnastics are made up of a difficulty rating (which awards points based on how hard the skills in an athlete’s routine are), and an execution score (judged based on how well an athlete performs the skills).

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Biles' signature move -

As the athletes faced off in the Bercy Arena, Biles stunned audiences with her execution of the Yurchenko double pike (a move known for its high difficulty and risk).

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New competition -

So far, Biles was able to score significant ratings in the various events and win 3 gold medals. But the US champion has seemingly faced a new top contender at the Paris Olympics this year.

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Rebeca Andrade -

Brazil’s top gymnast, Rebeca Andrade just might have the prowess to go up against the US champion. Biles herself said that this year's competition is more difficult and exciting because her opponent is getting so close.

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Simone Biles -

Simone Biles is an Ohio-born athlete who has been widely regarded as one of the greatest gymnasts of all time. At 27 years old, she is also the most decorated, having won ten Olympic medals (so far) and 30 World Championships medals.

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Rebeca Andrade -

Born in 1999, 25-year-old Rebeca Andrade is certainly a worthy contender for Simone Biles, having won eight Olympic medals and three World Championships gold medals in the last four years. Andrade is also the first-ever Brazilian female gymnast to medal at an Olympic Games after she achieved gold for the vault event and silver for the all-around event at Tokyo 2020.

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Invention -

In the world of gymnastics, new and never-before-accomplished techniques are named after the athletes who first successfully use them. Biles has five techniques named after her, the second-most of any gymnast.

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Reaction -

After Andrade received a higher score than Biles in the Uneven Bars, the US athlete was quite impressed by the Brazilian’s performance. Meanwhile, Andrade was elated upon receiving the news that her score had beaten Biles’.

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Andrade's performance -

Rebeca Andrade impressed with her performance on the vault, receiving widespread praise despite the US team winning the overall competition. Her scores have been consistently high and have truly challenged Biles' dominance.

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Big difference -

Despite being a talented and prolific gymnast, Andrade still has a long way to go before she can unseat Biles from her throne. When Biles was the same age as Andrade is now, she had already obtained medals seven times at the Olympics and 25 times at the World Championships.

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Recognition -

Regardless, Andrade's performances have certainly garnered international recognition, highlighting her as a formidable competitor to Biles. Her execution and consistency have made her a favorite among fans and judges alike.

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Training regimens -

Both Biles and Andrade have rigorous training regimens that include physical conditioning, technical practice, and mental preparation, which simply reflects how dedicated they truly are to excellence in the field of gymnastics.

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Mental health -

Beyond her athletic achievements, Simone Biles has also been a vocal advocate for mental health. At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, she made headlines by withdrawing from several events to prioritize her mental well-being, a decision that was widely praised.

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Preparation -

Biles dedicated extensive time to training and mental preparation for the Paris Olympics. Her commitment to overcoming previous challenges was evident in her performances in the women’s team event.

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Diversity -

As an African American in a predominantly white sport, Biles has broken barriers and served as a role model for young athletes of color. Her success has also helped increase diversity in gymnastics and has shown that talent and hard work can overcome systemic barriers.

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Scary competition -

Despite being one of the greatest gymnasts ever, Biles admitted in her Netflix documentary, ‘Simone Biles: Rising’ (2024), that Rebeca Andrade scares her the most. But the US athlete has also stated that she enjoys the rivalry, since it pushes her to perform well.

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Competitive edge -

The competitive edge between Biles and Andrade has driven both athletes to perform at their highest levels, resulting in some of the most memorable moments in gymnastics history.

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Media narratives -

The media has often focused on the redemption arcs, struggles, and triumphs of both athletes, all in the hopes of further expanding on the competition that they face and how far they have truly come.

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Historic matchup -

For the first time, two Olympic all-around champions, Biles and Sunisa Lee (pictured), competed head-to-head and won a medal in the women’s team finals, adding to the excitement of the gymnastics events.

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Strong competition -

Sunisa Lee and Italian gymnast Alice D'Amato (pictured) both scored higher than Biles in uneven bars, at 14.566 and 14.633, respectively. This margin was quite exciting for spectators, since the indomitable Biles achieved a lower 14.400.

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Not to worry -

Fans of Biles would be happy to know that, despite the fierce competition faced by the American athlete, her total score points across all fields have allowed her to rise above the ranks of other gymnasts.

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Future competitions -

Looking ahead, the performances of Biles and her fellow competitors at the Paris Olympics will truly set the stage for future competitions, where they will continue to push the limits and inspire the next generation of gymnasts.

Sources: (The SportsRush) (Sportskeeda) (Forbes) (The Olympics)

See also: The major celebs spotted at the Paris Olympics (so far)

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