Simone Biles is ending her 2024 Paris Olympics on her terms as the greatest of all time (GOAT) and with a significant medal haul — three golds and one silver. However, the press isn’t letting her enjoy the historic moment because they are too busy wanting to know what is next, especially with the next Summer Games on home turf in Los Angeles in four years.
The one thing fans know is that Biles isn’t shy about expressing her opinions and prioritizing her mental health after a disappointing 2020 Tokyo Olympics when she experienced the “twisties.” That’s why she’s speaking on behalf of all elite athletes in Paris. She wrote on X on Aug. 4, “you guys really gotta stop asking athletes what’s next after they win a medal at the Olympics.” In a second tweet, she clarified what she meant by her original post, “let us soak up the moment we’ve worked our whole lives for.” She’s not wrong. The moment Team USA won the gold medal, and she recaptured her all-around crown, the media wanted to know if she was retiring or continuing on the next quad.
On Saturday, Aug. 3, she answered that question during the press conference after winning gold in the vault finals. “Is this my last? Definitely Yurchenko double pike,” she responded about her renowned vault named after her. “I mean, I kinda nailed that one.” Still, the 27-year-old phenom knew that the reporter wanted to know about her 2028 Los Angeles Olympics plans. Biles gave a “never say never” answer and added, ”The next Olympics is at home [Los Angeles]. So, you just never know. But I am getting really old.”
Biles would be 31 years old if she continued to Los Angeles, and she has hinted that starting a family with her husband, Jonathan Owens, is on her mind. But don’t count the United States’ most decorated gymnast out completely. She’s been known to take a year or two off from the sport after an Olympics cycle and make a comeback. In October 2023, she dominated the world championships, and a fan tweeted, “Remember like five months ago we didn’t think Simone would ever compete again.” Biles chimed in, “real talk I didn’t think so either.”
So, let Biles relish in her accomplishments for now. She will let the world know if she wants to make a return, but her record speaks for itself — she will always be the GOAT of gymnastics.
Before you go, click here to see 15 times Simone Biles defied gravity.
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