Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles did not win gold in the floor event at the Summer Olympics on Monday afternoon in Paris, but they exhibited outstanding sportsmanship toward the gymnast who did.
Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade, the 25-year-old gymnast, claimed gold in the floor event with a score of 14.166. Biles was close behind with a score of 14.133, and Chiles secured third place after an inquiry by the judges, scoring 13.766.
Biles and Chiles’ display of sportsmanship was not just a formality. They expressed deep admiration for Andrade’s remarkable journey. The Brazilian gymnast has torn her ACL three separate times, making her presence at the Olympics and her gold medal victory even more impressive.
However, not everyone was pleased with their show of respect. NFL star Marlon Humphrey, who played collegiately at Alabama, criticized Biles for the gesture, describing a photo of Biles and Chiles congratulating Andrade as “disgusting.”
“This is literally disgusting,” Humphrey wrote.
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Humphrey’s comment sparked immediate backlash, with many fans defending Biles and Chiles and condemning Humphrey’s viewpoint.
“He calls himself an athlete… Ignorant,” one fan commented.
“So giving someone (Rebeca Andrade) the respect and adulation after they’ve come back from three ACL tears and winning a gold medal in possibly the toughest sport is disgusting? Some of these people are entitled and deplorable,” added another fan.
“God forbid athletes have a little respect for one another or show sportsmanship,” one fan sarcastically remarked.
“Your on-field play the past few years has been disgusting,” another fan retorted.
Despite the criticism, Biles and Chiles have stood by their actions.
“Rebeca, she’s so amazing, she’s queen,” Biles said. “It was just the right thing to do.”
Chiles echoed Biles’ sentiments, adding, “Why don’t we just give her her flowers? Not only has she given Simone her flowers, but a lot of us in the United States, our flowers as well. So giving it back is what makes it so beautiful. So I felt like it was needed.”
Their actions have been widely praised, showcasing their character and respect for fellow athletes.
Simone Biles also shared her thoughts on Instagram, further highlighting the importance of sportsmanship and mutual respect in the world of competitive sports.
