Michelle Obama backs Simone Biles after bowing controversy

Though the Paris Olympics are not the popular spectacle that the Olympic Games usually are, there has been a fair amount of controversy that has created plenty of headlines for the past few weeks.

American gymnast Simone Biles has been the subject of many of those headlines, including one story that involves Baltimore Ravens defensive back Marlon Humphrey, who criticized the gymnast for showing respect to a gold medal-winning gymnast from another country.

According to the New York Post, Biles received an outpouring of support for her sportsmanship display, including the backing of former first lady Michelle Obama.

Biles and Jordan Chiles caught the attention of many after they "bowed down in a sign of deference to Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade," who had just won a gold medal for her performance.

Humphrey apparently wasn't a fan of the two USA gymnasts bowing to the competitor and called the move "disgusting" in a social media post this week.

This is literally disgusting https://t.co/zKdrsOLnwd

— marlonhumphrey.eth (@marlon_humphrey) August 5, 2024

Biles and Chiles received both criticism and support. Michelle Obama was one of the first to come to their defense after Humphrey's criticism.

"I’m still not over this beautiful moment of sisterhood and sportsmanship! You can just feel the love shining through these ladies. Congrats Rebeca, Jordan and Simone!" the former first lady wrote on her X account.

Humphrey eventually admitted that he might have gone overboard with his commentary, admitting that he was receiving a mountain of backlash across the internet as a result of his words.

“I’m lowkey getting cooked right now. I think I’m getting cussed out in Brazilian on Instagram lol" Humphrey wrote on social media.

Social media users tore him up for the most part.

"Yeah, because giving someone their flowers who has come back from THREE ACL tears to continue to be a top gymnast is disgusting," one X user wrote.

Another X user wrote, "Dude, Andrade returned from THREE ACL tears. Not that good sportsmanship needs an excuse, but that’s incredible. She deserves all the praise in the world."

"Who are you? Even in your sport, people don't know who you are, and you want to judge three of the greatest in the world in their sport? You don't know the "Olympic Spirit" because you have never been there and never will be. So shhhhh!" another X user added.