She should persevere, Simone Biles said. She is now Biles’s main rival.

Despite the narrowing gap in their abilities, the relationship between the pair, who are of similar ages and backgrounds, bears little of the animus that often characterizes rivalries among elite performers. At competitions, they cheer each other on. And at crucial junctures in Andrade’s career, moments when she questioned whether she’d ever realize her potential, Biles has gone further, encouraging the athlete fated to be her top competitor.

In 2018, Andrade was struggling to regain her form following a significant knee injury, the second of three. Biles took the younger athlete aside and told her she was too talented to give up. When Andrade managed to best Biles on vault at last year’s world championship, the American mimed lifting an imaginary crown off her head and placing it atop the Brazilian’s. That evening, Biles approached Andrade again at a party, and the world’s greatest gymnasts danced together.

“My feelings for her have grown so much,” Andrade said to The Washington Post.

Regarding Andrade, Biles has stated, “I truly adore competing with Rebeca.” “She does try to push me.”

Now, Andrade is prepared to go beyond simply pushing Biles. Her goal is to triumph. And some people believe she has a shot.

“A magnificent contest is expected to take place in Paris,” declared Daiane dos Santos, the inaugural Brazilian gymnast to secure the gold medal at the global gymnastics championship. “They will arrive in full force, all aiming to prove who is truly the best: Who will prevail?”

When the meet was over, Andrade sat by herself, outside the hotel lobby on a bench. That was when she saw Biles. The American, already a superstar, had medaled in every event, the first woman to do so in decades. Andrade watched as the she glided past.

Then the American turned. She sat down next to Andrade.

“It was such a kind moment, so affectionate, because there was no one else around,” Andrade said. “She told me, ‘Don’t give up. You’re talented. And you’re going to get past this.’”

“I intend to retry.”

 

Danger and bravery are rewarded in gymnastics. An athlete’s attempt at a challenging part counts towards her final score even if she is unable to complete it.

 

Here is where Biles has no competition. She can perform feats of kineticism that no other female gymnast can match. The sheer complexity of her routine places her on the podium even when she fails to land them. The Biles II, a triple-twisting double tuck, is one of her signature moves. She makes a single spring off the ground, and once in the air, she simultaneously rotates her body along two axes, tossing her head over her heels twice and turning sideways three times. She managed to remain afloat once for over 1.2 seconds.

 

An interview request was not answered by Biles’s reps.

 

Such gymnastics demand a kind of resilience that Andrade has always admired admirable. It can’t be simple, she remarked.

When Biles’s right ACL ruptured a third time in 2019, Andrade pondered about her mental toughness. Her coach wasn’t even expecting her to try for a third comeback. She surprised him, though.

“I’ve given it some thought, and I’m not going to give up,” she reportedly said to Porath. I’m going to give it another go.

She won gold in the vault and silver in the all-around competition at the pandemic-affected Tokyo Olympics in 2021, solidifying her place among Brazil’s top athletes. She searched for Biles. Following a mental disconnection between his body and mind, known as the twisties, the American withdrew from the games. But Andrade could see the American athlete supporting her even then.

Andrade showed gratitude for Biles’s comeback to competition last year.

“The greatest in the world demonstrated to us that adversity can occur, but it’s possible to overcome it and bounce back,” Andrade remarked.

Then: The world titles from the previous year. Andrade and Biles competing for the first time while they were both in good health and their peak. The all-around gold went to Biles. Andrade obtained a silver medal.

Biles stumbled upon her Yurchenko double pike during the vault final. Andrade entered her vault, grabbed the gold medal, and took off with Biles’ make-believe crown.

“Simone’s gesture demonstrated that all of my hard work, effort, and support from everyone was worthwhile,” the woman remarked. “I persisted.”

learning a new ability

 

Andrade started practicing early this month at an Olympic gymnastics facility in Rio de Janeiro, going from floor to bars to beam. She declared herself ready.

 

The athlete’s squad concluded that Biles would win if both athletes give it their all in Paris.

 

Porath declared, “A Simone who sticks her landing is the champion.”

 

He then on, “But if Biles falters, they’re ready to take advantage.” Andrade has been honing his new abilities. This month, the Brazilian Olympic Committee released a video of the gymnast rehearsing a complicated and risky twirl known as the triple twisting Yurchenko, which has never been performed successfully in a female competition.

 

“We consistently learn new skills,” Andrade stated to The Post. “We might do that if we’re feeling good about the competition.”

 

Andrade desires victory. She stated that her main goal is to continue competing against Biles. Whether Biles will retire after this year’s games is a matter she has not officially said. However, Andrade said that Biles revealed that Paris will be her last competition in a private chat.

 

Andrade stated, “I told her, ‘No, girl, don’t do this.'”

 

Biles gave Andrade encouragement to keep going even when she was at her lowest. She now desires to assist Biles in the same way.

 

She remarked, “I know she wants to win, but she will still support me.” “She is aware of my desire to prevail, but I will continue to support her.”