‘Friendship Goals': Biles and Raisman's Embrace Caps Incredible Rio Gymnastics Victory
Biles and Raisman have become close friends in the lead up to the Olympics, a fact that many celebrated on social media after they came in first and second in the Rio all-around gymnastics event
By Emilie Plesset and Kate Guarino ••
After cementing her status as the world's best gymnast Thursday with a gold medal in individual all-round, Simone Biles invited silver medalist Aly Raisman back on the floor to celebrate their achievements together.
Biles was untouchable on the floor, but the pair shared an emotional embrace after the final scores were announced.
With three consecutive world championship titles under her belt, Biles scored 15.933 for her floor performance, the highest score of the day.
Raisman secured the silver after beating rival Aliya Mustafina. At the 2012 London Games, the U.S. gymnastics team captain failed to make the all-around podium after losing a tiebreaker to the Russian gymnast, who won bronze this year.
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Alexandra Raisman of the United States competes on the balance beam during the Artistic Gymnastics Women's Team Final on Day 4 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Rio Olympic Arena on Aug. 9, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Bronze medalist Simone Biles (L) and silver medalist Lauren Hernandez (R) of the United States pose for photographs after the at the medal ceremony for the Balance Beam on day 10 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Rio Olympic Arena on Aug. 15, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Lauren Hernandez of the United States reacts after competing in the Balance Beam Final on day 10 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Rio Olympic Arena on Aug. 15, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Simone Biles of the United States competes in the Balance Beam Final on day 10 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Rio Olympic Arena on Aug. 15, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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US gymnast Lauren Hernandez competes in the women's balance beam event final of the Artistic Gymnastics at the Olympic Arena during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro on Aug. 15, 2016.
Simone Biles of the United States competes on the uneven bars during the Women's Individual All Around Final on Day 6 of the 2016 Rio Olympics at Rio Olympic Arena on Aug. 11, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Simone Biles of the United States waves to fans after winning the gold medal during the Women's Individual All Around Final on Day 6 of the 2016 Rio Olympics at Rio Olympic Arena on Aug. 11, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
US gymnast Simone Biles competes in the beam event of the women's individual all-around final of the Artistic Gymnastics at the Olympic Arena during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro on Aug. 11, 2016.
Simone Biles (C) of the United States is embraced by Alexandra Raisman after competing on the floor during the Women's Individual All Around Final on Day 6 of the 2016 Rio Olympics at Rio Olympic Arena on Aug. 11, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Alexandra Raisman of the United States reacts after competing on the floor during the Women's Individual All Around Final on Day 6 of the 2016 Rio Olympics at Rio Olympic Arena on Aug. 11, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
US gymnast Alexandra Raisman competes in the floor event of the women's individual all-around final of the Artistic Gymnastics at the Olympic Arena during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro on Aug. 11, 2016.
Aly Raisman of the United States performs on the beam during the women's individual all-around at Rio 2016 on Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016. Raisman finished with the silver behind teammate Simone Biles (gold) and ahead of Russia's Aliya Mustafina (bronze).
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Simone Biles of the United States waves to fans with her gold medal after the medal ceremony for the Artistic Gymnastics Women's Team on Day 4 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Rio Olympic Arena on Aug. 9, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Alexandra Raisman, left, and Gabrielle Douglas, right, of the United States celebrate winning the gold medal during the Artistic Gymnastics Women's Team Final on Day 4 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Rio Olympic Arena on August 9, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Lauren Hernandez of the United States competes on the balance beam during the Artistic Gymnastics Women's Team Final on Day 4 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Rio Olympic Arena on Aug. 9, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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(Left to right) Bronze medalists China, gold medalist United States and silver medalists Russia pose for photographs on the podium at the medal ceremony for the Artistic Gymnastics Women's Team on Day 4 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Rio Olympic Arena on August 9, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
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The Russian and US teams celebrate with their medals on the podium during the women's team final Artistic Gymnastics at the Olympic Arena during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro on Aug. 9, 2016.
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Madison Kocian, left, and Gabrielle Douglas, right, of the United States apply chalk in preparation for competing on the uneven bars during the Artistic Gymnastics Women's Team Final on Day 4 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Rio Olympic Arena on Aug. 9, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Simone Biles (front) of the United States is congratulated by her teammates after competing on the floor during the Artistic Gymnastics Women's Team Final on Day 4 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Rio Olympic Arena on Aug. 9, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Simone Biles of the United States competes on the vault during the Artistic Gymnastics Women's Team Final on Day 4 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Rio Olympic Arena on Aug. 9, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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(Left to right) Lauren Hernandez, Madison Kocian, Simone Biles, Alexandra Raisman and Gabrielle Douglas of the United States celebrate winning the gold medal during the Artistic Gymnastics Women's Team Final on Day 4 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Rio Olympic Arena on Aug. 9, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
There were more than enough hugs to go around on Thursday. Raisman’s coach Mihai Brestyan and Biles' coach Aimee Boorman embraced both girls after their victory. Fellow "Final Five" members Gabby Douglas, Laurie Hernandez and Madison Kocian cheered the two from the stands.
Biles and Raisman have become close friends in the lead up to the Olympics, often posting photos with one another on social media.
In an interview with NBC before the games, Biles joked that the team called 22-year-old Raisman the team's "grandma" (she's the oldest on the team) while Raisman thinks 19-year-old Biles "is the crazy one."
Biles will compete again on Sunday in the women’s beam and vault finals, while Raisman will return Tuesday for the floor finals.
