Simone Biles hints that her time on the Olympic mats may be over.
The most decorated gymnast in history spoke about her gymnastic future in an interview with Sports Illustrated they named her their 2024 Athlete of the Year on Thursday, January 2, following her record-breaking performance at the Paris Olympics that captivated audiences around the world.
In an interview with the publication, Biles — who has previously been coy about her gymnastics future — revealed that the chances of her representing Team USA in 2028 are very slim.
“Since I’ve accomplished so much, there’s almost nothing left for me to do but be snobbish and try again, and for what? “I’m at a point in my career where I’m humble enough to know when to finish,” said the 7-time Olympic gold medalist.
Simone Biles.
Jamie Squire/Getty
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Biles, 27, also noted that there would be “sacrifices” and “consequences” if she decided to return to the sport she’s dominated for a decade, and wondered whether it made sense to delay starting a family with husband Jonathan Owens.
Simone Biles marks end of GOAT tour as her gymnastics future is up in the air: ‘Forever grateful’
“If you come back, you will be greedy,” she told the newspaper. “These are the consequences. But it’s also your decision. What would the sacrifices be if I went back now? When you’re younger, it’s like prom, college. Now it’s like starting a family, being away from my husband. What is really worth it?”
As the current face of the sport and responsible for redefining the world of women’s gymnastics, Biles said that despite her endless accolades, she hasn’t truly absorbed the impact of her legacy. “I don’t think reality set what exactly I did in sports,” she said.
Simone Biles.
Jamie Squire/Getty
“I can see it, and I hear it from people, and I see it briefly, but I don’t think I’ve grasped the full magnitude of it yet. I don’t think I’ll realize until maybe I step back and look back in a few years like, Damn, she was good. Because I see it, but I do it every day. It’s normal for me,” Biles added.
Simone Biles.
Xavier Laine/Getty
Immediately after winning the gold medal in the individual vault final in Paris on August 3, Biles spoke at a press conference about the future of her signature vault.
“This is my last, definitely Yurchenko double pike [renamed the Biles II]. I mean, I kind of guessed that. So never say never,” Biles said at the time. “The home games — the next Olympics are at home, so you never know. But I’m getting really old.”
Simone Biles Says ‘Never Say Never’ About Returning to 2028 Games in Los Angeles
The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics will be the first time the Summer Olympics will be held in the US since the 1996 Atlanta Games.
If Biles were to compete in the 2028 Games, she would be the only American gymnast to ever qualify for four Olympics — and she would be 31 years old.
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Source: HIS Education