Simone Biles returns to the Olympics for 2024 Paris Games…..see More

It’s not of her with her many, many medals. Or of a score that reflects another dominant performance. It doesn’t show her soaring high above the vault. It’s of Biles and Jordan Chiles, bowing down to new Olympic floor champion Rebeca Andrade as the Brazilian steps onto the medals podium at the 2024 Paris Games.

“I love Rebeca. She’s absolutely amazing,” Biles said Monday afternoon. “Jordan was like, ‘Should we bow to her?’ And I was like, ‘Absolutely.’ It was just the right thing to do.”

Yes, but not many athletes — not many people — would be big enough to celebrate someone else’s success in the wake of their own disappointment. Or mature enough to do it so genuinely. Not many would be generous enough to show the grace that so often isn’t extended to her.

Biles is the greatest gymnast of all time, and the surprising results Monday do nothing to change that. But she’s an equally good human, continuing to dole out lessons on how to do life.

Be kind. Celebrate success, both yours and that of others. Take as much care of your mental health as you do your physical health. Never allow others to write your own story.

“I accomplished way more than my wildest dreams, not just at this Olympics, but in the sport. So I can’t be mad at my performances,” said Biles, who leaves the Paris Olympics with four medals, three of them gold.

“A couple of years ago, I didn’t think I’d be back here at an Olympic Games. Competing and walking away with four medals, I’m not mad about it,” Biles continued. “I’m pretty proud of myself.”

Of course Biles was disappointed with the outcome Monday. She is, after all, fiercely competitive, and her performances in the balance beam and floor exercise finals weren’t what she imagined for herself. Or what anybody imagined for her.