Simone Biles’ historic performance in Paris prompted fans to dig up her viral photo alongside Shaquille O’Neal.
In February 2017, the 1.43-meter-tall gymnast posted a photo with the NBA legend, who is 2.15 meters tall.
“Hey Shaq,” Biles captioned the photo, which shows her barely reaching the former basketball star’s midsection.
The image went viral at the time and has now resurfaced after Biles won her fifth Olympic gold medal in the gymnastics team final on Tuesday.
A fan reposted the image on social media, writing: ‘During her floor routine, the top of (Biles’) head reached 12 feet above the floor.
Viral photo of Simone Biles alongside Shaquille O’Neal resurfaced after her Olympic victory
The gymnastics legend led the United States to a gold medal in the team final in Paris on Tuesday.
“That means he can jump over Shaq. I guess people can really fly.”
Biles, already the most decorated gymnast of all time, attracted a host of celebrities to Tuesday’s final in France, with Bill GatesSpike Lee and Serena Williams Among those who were seen in the stands.
The 27-year-old won her first Olympic gold since Rio 2016 when the US team easily prevailed. with an unrivaled score of 171,296.
She is now officially the most decorated American gymnast in Olympic history, having earned her eighth medal, one more than Actor Shannon Miller married actor John Deere.
Jonathan Owens paid tribute to his wife Simone Biles after she won gold at the Paris Olympics
Hours after the victory, Biles’ husband, Jonathan Owens, toasted his wife’s success. The couple posed for photographs while he held up the gymnast’s medal.
“You witness history every time you step on the mat,” NFL star Owens wrote on social media.
‘Congratulations baby on becoming the most decorated American gymnast in Olympic history!’
‘Just wow!!! There were 8 of them!!!!! I’m so thankful I was there to see it.’