Believe it or not, the most decorated U.S. gymnast of all time, Simone Biles, became more decorated with three more gold medals, a silver medal, and her second all-around champion title at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Seriously, what can't she do?
This year's Games mark her triumphant return to gymnastics after she pulled out of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics to prioritize her mental health. Simone has since revealed that she was also experiencing the Twisties, or "a mental block that creates a dangerous disconnect between mind and body while gymnasts are airborne," according to The Cleveland Clinic. So, for her to win big in Paris is a *pretty* big dealâespecially because she took some time away and started officially training again in 2023.
That! Being! Said! Fansâyes, that includes us đâare wondering if the GOAT will keep going for gold at the 2028 LA Olympics. Here's everything we know about Simone Biles's (potential) retirement so far.
Will Simone Biles compete at the 2028 Olympics (or is 2024 her last)?
In the words of our good man Justin Bieber... never say never! According to Simone, she's still open to competing for now. "Never say never. The next Olympics is at home, so you just never know, but I am getting really old," she told reporters on Saturday, August 3, per Reuters.
Obviously age is just a number, but most professional gymnasts retire in their late teens to early and mid-twenties. At 27, Simone is the second oldest women's Olympic all-around champion in history after Maria Gorokhovskaya, who was 30 when she won the all-around at the Helsinki Games in 1952.
But is Simone Biles retiring after the 2024 Olympics?
It remains to be seen and is too early to ask! Simone took home three gold medals and one silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. While she made history, she and her teammate Suni Lee took a tumble on the balance beams and ranked outside the podium level.
"Obviously, it wasn't my best performance," Simone said after the 2024 Olympic gymnastics competitions, per NBC Sports. "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."
She added, "I've accomplished way more than my wildest dreams, not just at this Olympics, but in the sport, so I can't be mad at my performances. A couple 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."
Simone also took to social media with a message about all the "what's next" questions she's getting, writing, "You guys really gotta stop asking athletes whatâs next after they win a medal at the Olympics." She continued with another post, adding, "Let us soak up the moment weâve worked our whole lives for."
