The Olympic Games-Paris 2024 - Source: Getty — Rebeca Andrade performs her floor routine during the Artistic Gymnastics Team Final during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France. (Photo via Getty Images)

"That was my last all-around"- Rebeca Andrade hints final appearance in the event after losing the top position to Simone Biles at the Paris Olympics

Modified Aug 02, 2024 06:32 GMT

Rebeca Andrade recently hinted at her last appearance in the all-around event after securing second place at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Andrade followed Simone Biles to earn the silver medal in the French capital.

She scored a total of 57.932 points in the finals, while the legendary American gymnast posted 59.131 points. The Brazilian gymnast surpassed Biles in the uneven bars by registering 14.66 points, whereas the gold medalist scored 13.733 points.

In an interview with Olympics.com following her feat, Andrade admitted that she had mentally prepared herself for this competition to be her last appearance in the all-around event, stating the routine as physically demanding.

However, she also acknowledged the future opportunities that might arise, conveying she might reconsider competing in the event if her physical conditions improve or fate serves a chance.

"Doing the all-around, to me, it demands a lot from my body, my lower limbs, legs, knees," Andrade said. "But I said that the future belongs to God: What if I something comes up in my head [or] my body gets better? I don’t know."

"But I have worked this in my head and I wanted tonight to be a very special competition because, to me, that was my last all-around."

"I gave Simone Biles a bit of work" - Rebeca Andrade expresses satisfaction in competing alongside the American gymnast

Simone Biles with Rebeca Andrade competes on the uneven bars during the women's Artistic Gymnastics All-Around Final at the Olympic Games 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Getty Images)

If not a rival, Rebeca Andrade has always been a challenging competitor to Biles. In the women's all-around event in Paris, she fell short of only 1.199 points to the legendary gymnast.

In the same interview, Andrade praised Biles while conveying her contentment in putting up a strong fight against her.

"Knowing that I gave Simone a bit of work is cool, right?" she said. "She’s the best in the world, Simone is a phenomenon. We didn’t see it just here, but also in many competitions that she has done. I’m so proud of being able to compete by her side."

Andrade and Biles are yet to lock horns against each other in the floor exercise, vault, and balance beam events in Paris. Apart from her silver medal in the all-around event, the 25-year-old gymnast also led the Brazilian squad in clinching their first-ever Olympic medal in the women's team event, after placing third behind the USA and Italy.