
After conquering the gymnastics world, Simone Biles faces a poignant crossroads. Will she compete in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, or is it time to bow out gracefully?
- Jan 5, 2025
AceShowbiz - Simone Biles has achieved monumental success in gymnastics, and at 27, she's questioning whether aiming for more gold at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics is worth the sacrifices.
Recently named Sports Illustrated's "2024 Sportsperson of the Year," Biles has been candid about her thoughts on potentially competing in a fourth Olympics. She noted, "I've accomplished so much, there's almost nothing left to do, rather than to just be snobby and to try again and for what? I'm at a point in my career where I'm humble enough to know when to be done."
At 31, if she were to participate in the 2028 Games, she would be the only American gymnast to qualify for four Olympics. Yet, she worries about the perception of being "greedy" and the personal sacrifices this would entail. "If you go back, you'll be greedy. Those are the consequences. But that's also your decision to decide," she remarked.
Biles elaborated on these sacrifices, stating, "When you're younger, it's like prom, college. Now it's like, starting a family, being away from my husband. What's really worth it?"
Currently, Biles and her husband, Chicago Bears safety Jonathan Owens, are focusing on building a life together, including a new home in Houston, Texas.
Despite her unparalleled list of achievements, which includes 11 Olympic medals (seven gold) and 30 World Championship medals, Biles is still grappling with her legacy and impact on the sport.
Reflecting on her journey, she said, "I don't think the reality has set in of what I've exactly done in the sport. I can see it, and I hear it from people, and I see a glimpse of it, but the full magnitude I don't think I've realized just yet. I don't think I'll realize till maybe I retire and look back in a couple years like, 'Damn, she was good.' "
Following her triumphant return to the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she earned four more medals, Biles has been busy with her 32-show "Gold Over America Tour," supporting her husband at football games, and promoting her four-part Netflix docuseries chronicling her preparation for the Paris Games. Yet, despite these engagements, she remains uncertain about her competitive future.
Although Biles hasn't definitively stated her plans, she acknowledges the monumental nature of another Olympic bid. As Biles continues to ponder her next steps, the world watches in awe of her storied career and the potential chapters yet to come.