While Simone Biles and Rebeca Andrade are undoubtedly two of the greatest gymnasts in history, sports experts Jessica O’Beirne and Spencer Barnes recently highlighted an angle to their rivalry.

Noting that Biles and Andrade competed just five times in nine years, GymCastic co-hosts Jessica O'Beirne and Spencer Barnes highlighted a recurring issue in the sport.

"I am sick of the gymnasts not having autonomy and control over what they do. And the FIG, now known as world gymnastics, controlling everything," she stated. "In tennis, the best players play against each other, and we don't have that necessarily in gymnastics."

Having the greats compete against each other is what shapes the sport and fuels those who follow it. But Andrade and Biles only competed at the 2016 Rio Olympics, the 2018 Worlds, the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, the 2023 Worlds, and the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Across these five encounters, their rivalry truly peaked at the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Antwerp. Biles clinched four gold and a silver medal. On the other hand, Andrade secured one gold, three silvers, and a bronze.

While they maintained the rivalry at the Paris Games, Barnes stated that it was a "missed opportunity," as two of the greatest of this era competed so little.

"Five times across nine years of their senior careers," Barnes noted. "You had two of the best ever, and you only got them competing at the same time at the same competition, that many times is such a missed opportunity."

However, even those few encounters were enough for both gymnasts to hold each other in high regard.

Simone Biles and Rebeca Andrade’s Mutual Respect

While Biles is the most decorated gymnast in history, Andrade holds the same honor, but in Brazil. And following the Paris Games, Biles admitted that Andrade was the first athlete to have her break a sweat.

“I've never had an athlete that close, so it definitely put me on my toes,” Biles spoke of Andrade in 2024, per CNN. “It brought up the best athlete in myself, so I'm excited and proud to compete with her, but… I was stressing.”

And the Brazilian gymnast echoed the sentiment. Responding to Biles’ remarks, Andrade expressed that it was an honor to compete alongside her American rival.

“We incentivise each other to be better and better. That's what she sees in me and what I see in her,” she stated at the Paris Olympics. “I'm really glad, and I feel the same way about her. It's an honor to be able to compete alongside her.”

With that being said, can you name another rival duo like Biles and Andrade? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Deblina Roy

Edited by

Sijo Paul