Simone Biles Says She and Jordan Chiles Bowed Down to Rebeca Andrade to 'Show Good Sportsmanship' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

ForSimone Biles, there was a simple reason whyshe and Jordan Chiles decided to bow downto rival (and friend)Rebeca Andradeafter she beat them for gold: “Sportsmanship.”

It was a move that was largely praised as women supporting women, other than a few critics. And one that was important to Biles.

“[We were] showing good sportsmanship [and] having fun out there because it was the last competition,” the superstar gymnast, 27, tells PEOPLE.

That podium also held a bigger significance — it marked the first time, ever, that an Olympics podium was entirely made up of Black gymnasts, a moment that certainly was not lost on Biles.

Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles bow down to Rebeca Andrade of Brazil on Aug. 5.Naomi Baker/Getty

Naomi Baker/Getty

Simone Biles, Rebeca Andrade and Jordan Chiles on Aug. 5.Daniela Porcelli/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty

Daniela Porcelli/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty

“I’m just happy with overall what I’ve been able to accomplish and what I’ve done, because putting in that therapy and that mental work meant everything to me, and it was much needed,” she says.

And now, after over a week and a half of competition, Biles,who graces PEOPLE’s cover this week, has one thing on her mind: To “relax.”

source: people.com