2024 Olympics: Simone Biles Edges Out Rebeca Andrade for Gold in Women's Vault

The podium is calling Simone Biles once again.

Days after facing off against Rebeca Andrade in the women’s gymnastics individual all-around competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the duo competed against one another in the vault final Aug. 3 with Simone coming out on top for the gold. Rebeca followed behind with silver and Jade Carey, the other gymnast representing Team USA, finished with bronze. 

Going into the final, Simone, 27—who became the first American to win gold twice in the individual all-around—was the top qualifier. During the event, she proved to the audience why vault is her strongest apparatus, completing her two vaults with a commanding combined score of 15.300. 

Rebeca, meanwhile, ended with 14.966 and Jade with 14.466. And the audience, which included the rest of Team USA—Sunisa Lee, Jordan Chiles and Hezly Rivera—as well as stars like Flavor Flav, John Travolta and Billie Jean King were captivated as the gymnasts flipped for the podium.

Plus, the family cheering section was in full swing with Simone's parents Ronald Biles and Nellie Biles showing their support as she picked up her 10th Olympic medal.

While Simone has reigned as champion in her categories, Brazil’s star Rebeca has proven she has what it takes to keep up. In fact, Rebeca—who won silver in the vault at the 2020 Tokyo Games, where she became the first South American woman to make it to the podium in the event—is a force to be reckoned with.

And if it wasn’t clear before their neck and neck individual all-around final, where Rebecca finished silver ahead of Team USA’s Sunisa, and Simone can tell.  

"I don't wanna compete with Rebeca no more—I'm tired," Simone quipped to reporters after the competition Aug. 1. "She's way too close.”

Laughing at the friendly competition, she added, “I've never had an athlete that close, so it definitely put me on my toes and it brought out the best athlete in myself."

And being considered the GOAT for a reason, Simone isn’t used to feeling concerned about her top spot. "I'm getting uncomfortable, guys," she jokingly emphasized. "I don't like that feeling—I was stressing!"

Although Rebecca and Simone are vying for the same spot on the podium, they also share a deep respect for one another.

“I’ve grown such affection for her,” Rebeca, 25, told The Washington Post, while Simone added, “I actually love competing with Rebeca. She does push me.”

In fact, the São Paulo native even remembers a moment at the world championships in 2018 after a knee injury led to a discouraging routine, when Simone shared some sweet words in private.

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

Keep reading for more incredible moments at the 2024 Olympics.

Elmo's got a t-rex, a go fish card and a selfie with Olympians Suni Lee and Jordan Chiles.

France's Felix Lebrun was extra careful while serving during table tennis.

Team Germany's Leo Neugebauer landed hard during the long jump.

Olivier Perreau of France didn't exactly jump over the actual Eiffel Tower, but close enough.

The women of the 500m race were going so fast, you could barely see their legs moving.

BMX bikers head straight for the cameras during the semifinal race.

Anthony Harding and Jack Laugher of Team Great Britain were in perfect sync during the synchronized diving competition.

Canada's Wyatt Sanford took quite the punch from Uzbekistan's Ruslan Abdullaev.

LeBron James proved once again he knows his way towards a slum dunk.

Kim Yeji of Team Republic of Korea was busy prepping during the Women's 10m Air Pistol Final.

Egypt's Omar Assar leapt for the ball during an intense game of table tennis.

Cassandre Beaugrand of Team France was excited (and exhausted!) after winning gold in the women's individual triathlon.

Team Brazil's Rebeca Andrade and Team USA's Simone Biles and Suni Lee posed for a selfie during the Gymnastics Women's All-Around Final medal ceremony.

Nigeria's Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah jumped for the ball during her match against France. 

Men's foil windsurfing embraced the wind as they raced to the finish. 

For Simone Biles, the limit to greatness does not exist. 

Caroline Marks of Team USA surfed her way closer to a medal. 

Suni Lee's balance beam routine was captured from a bird's eye view. 

Gold medalist Jiayu Yang of China lapped compatriot Hong Liu. 

France's Florent Manaudou had a cheeky greeting for the crowd. 

French cyclist Anthony Jeanjean lost his shoe during a fall at the men's BMX freestyle park final. The Olympian went on to brush off his tumble and snagged the bronze medal with his second run.

Diving practice never looked so fun.

Team USA's Katie Ledecky was ecstatic after winning gold in the women's 1500m freestyle final.

Japan's Shinnosuke Oka held his nation's flag behind him as he celebrated earning the men's all-around individual gold medal. 

Men's individual triathalon athletes dove into the newly cleansed Seine River. 

Andrea Spendolini-Sirieix and Lois Toulson from Great Britain were perfectly in tune with each other.

Felix Dolci of Team Canada sent the crowd a heart after he redid his high bar performance following a fall due to a broken grip. 

Cassandre Beaugrand of France crossed the finish line for the women's triathalon. 

The  U.S. women's rugby team celebrated the country's first ever medal in the sport with their bronze win. 

Argentina's Jose Torres Gil went all in during his BMX freestyle performance. 

Watch the 2024 Paris Olympics daily on NBC and Peacock until the summer games end with the Closing Ceremony on Sunday, Aug. 11, at 7 p.m. ET/PT.

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