Simone Biles addresses retirement speculation after Paris Olympics
The legendary gymnast hints at her future, leaving fans wondering if she’s really done with the sport.
Simone BilesAP Photo
Simone Biles has once again taken the gymnastics world by storm, winning four medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics. But as soon as the games ended, the focus quickly shifted to one pressing question: Is Simone Biles retiring? Despite being only 27, speculation around Biles‘ retirement has intensified, largely due to the sport’s history of short athletic careers.
Biles, however, isn’t ready to hang up her leotard just yet. “In gymnastics, the longevity has never been there,” she explained in a recent interview, adding, “This isn’t normal what we’re doing.” Indeed, Biles‘ incredible comeback after stepping away from the Tokyo Olympics due to mental health struggles was nothing short of extraordinary.
A historic comeback and an uncertain future
Biles is no stranger to the pressure of performing on the world’s biggest stage. After Tokyo, where she made the tough decision to withdraw from multiple events, many believed she would retire. But her remarkable return at Paris, where she claimed three gold medals, solidified her status as one of the greatest gymnasts of all time.
In an interview, Biles expressed her frustration with the constant retirement talk. “As soon as you finish the Olympics, they’re like, ‘What’s next?’ and I’m like, ‘Damn, I can’t even relish in this moment.'” For Biles, the focus now is on her mental and physical health, and she has no immediate plans to make any decisions about her gymnastics career.
However, when asked directly about retirement, Biles left the door wide open: “You never say never… The next Olympics is on home turf.” While she hasn’t committed to competing in the 2028 Los Angeles Games, her recent post on X (formerly Twitter) gave fans hope, stating, “I haven’t retired though.”
Life beyond the gym
Despite the ongoing retirement rumors, Biles is anything but idle. After the Olympics, she launched her Gold Over America tour, which celebrates gymnastics and takes her across 30 cities. For Biles, the tour is about more than just performing. “It’s sharing the love and passion we have for the sport with our audience,” she said.
With a busy schedule that includes her tour and even starting a new restaurant, Biles has shown no signs of slowing down. As for whether she’ll compete in 2028, only time will tell, but one thing is clear: Simone Biles is far from done making history.
