After reminding us all why she’s nonetheless the GOAT on the Paris Olympics, reporters and followers alike hold asking the identical query: is Simone Biles retiring? We’re moving into every little thing she’s stated about her plans for the longer term up forward—together with the most recent message the gymnast had for everybody questioning “what’s subsequent?”
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In case you missed her occasions, simply know that Paris has seen Biles in high type. She snagged gold medals within the staff and particular person all-around competitions and went on to crush it once more within the ladies’s vault closing. After a difficult 2020 Video games the place she confirmed immense braveness in strolling away to prioritize her psychological well being, it’s clear Biles introduced her all to the mat for her comeback on the 2024 video games. However that hasn’t stopped of us from questioning if she will—and plans—to do all of it once more in 4 years.
Taking to social media after bringing dwelling gold for her vault efficiency, Biles gently reminded reporters and followers to chill their jets with all of the questions on her future within the sport. “You guys actually gotta cease asking athletes what’s subsequent after they win a medal on the Olympics,” she wrote on X.
In a follow-up publish, Biles urged us all to “allow us to absorb the second” with regards to celebrating athletes’ achievements in Paris. And what? She’s acquired some extent. Biles has greater than earned the proper to delight in her glory!
However is Simone Biles retiring?
Right here’s the deal: Biles is unquestionably maintaining her playing cards near her chest with regards to retirement. When the Related Press tried to get the news on her plans for the 2028 Olympics just a few months earlier than Paris, Biles didn’t rule it out… however she additionally didn’t verify something.
“I might by no means say by no means and I feel that might be superb to (do that) after each Olympic cycle,” Biles stated, referring to her post-Olympics Gold Over America Tour. “I feel that might be a fantastic factor. However proper now I can’t inform you sure or no. Like no definitive solutions as a result of I don’t know what life will appear to be within the subsequent few years to come back.”
Now, right here’s the place issues get fascinating. Rebeca Andrade, Biles’ pleasant rival, might have hinted on the gymnast’s retirement in a July 2024 interview with The Washington Put up. In keeping with Andrade, Biles had privately “confided that Paris could be her closing competitors,” the Put up writes. Andrade’s response? “I stated, ‘No, woman, don’t do that.’”
Since Andrade’s interview, Biles has continued to maintain reporters guessing. After wowing followers on the 2024 Olympic vault occasion closing on August 3, she echoed her earlier feedback to the Related Press. “By no means say by no means,” she stated. “The following Olympics are at dwelling, so that you simply by no means know. However I get actually previous.” Whereas 27 is decidedly not previous in the actual world, it’s on the older facet for a gymnast—so we get the place she’s coming from.
So, what’s the takeaway right here? Is Simone Biles retiring? The sincere reply is… we don’t know, and perhaps she doesn’t but both. What we do know is that this famous person has rewritten the gymnastics rulebook, damaged information, and impressed tens of millions. So no matter she decides, one factor’s for certain—Simone Biles has nothing left to show.