Simone Biles, the most decorated U.S. gymnast in history, has once again dazzled the world with her incredible performances at the 2024 Paris Olympics. With three gold medals, a silver medal, and her second all-around champion title now under her belt, Biles has proven she’s still at the pinnacle of her sport. However, the question on everyone’s mind is whether this will be her final Olympic appearance or if she might return for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
Will Simone Biles Compete in 2028?
When asked about her future in gymnastics, Simone Biles gave an enigmatic yet hopeful response. “Never say never,” she said during an August 3 press conference, according to Reuters. “The next Olympics is at home, so you just never know, but I am getting really old.” At 27, Biles is already an outlier in a sport where athletes often retire in their late teens or early twenties. She’s currently the second oldest women’s Olympic all-around champion in history, following Maria Gorokhovskaya, who was 30 when she won gold in 1952.
Is Simone Biles Retiring After Paris?
As of now, Simone Biles has not announced her retirement. Following her spectacular performance in Paris, where she secured multiple medals despite some challenges, Biles has emphasized her satisfaction with her achievements. “I’ve accomplished way more than my wildest dreams,” Biles said after the Games. “A couple of years ago, I didn’t think I’d be back here at an Olympic Games, so competing and then walking away with four medals… I’m pretty proud of myself.”
Despite her historic wins, Biles and her teammate Suni Lee experienced some difficulties during the balance beam event, which kept them from the podium. Reflecting on her performance, Biles admitted, “Obviously, it wasn’t my best performance. But at the end of the day, whoever medaled, medaled, and that’s what’s so exciting, because you just never know, it’s gymnastics.”
What’s Next for Simone Biles?
Biles has expressed frustration over repeated questions about her future, taking to social media to address the “what’s next” inquiries. She urged fans and media to allow athletes to relish their Olympic achievements before speculating about their future plans. “You guys really gotta stop asking athletes what’s next after they win a medal at the Olympics,” Biles wrote online. “Let us soak up the moment we’ve worked our whole lives for.”
As the gymnastics world continues to celebrate Biles’ remarkable career, the possibility of her competing in the 2028 Olympics remains open. For now, Biles is focused on enjoying her well-deserved success and reflecting on her journey, leaving fans eagerly awaiting any future announcements regarding her career.
