Simone Biles simply wants to enjoy the present moment before considering the future.
The 27-year-old gymnast has had an impressive performance in the Paris Olympics, leading Team USA to a gold medal in the team competition and another gold in the all-around. She still has the opportunity to add more hardware before the Summer Games conclude, but she has already begun to address queries about what comes next after Paris.
Biles responded to people who questioned her future, going to X to make a strong message about allowing athletes to enjoy their moment before forcing them to consider when they could retire.
“you guys really gotta stop asking athletes what’s next after they win a medal at the Olympics,” Biles complained.
She went on: “let us soak up the moment we’ve worked our whole lives for.”
Simone Biles Has Faced Retirement Speculation.
Even before her trip to Paris, Biles faced speculation that her gymnastics career might be nearing to an end. She made history simply by qualifying, becoming the oldest female gymnast to represent the United States in the Olympics in nearly 75 years.
After narrowly defeating Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade for the all-around gold by a little more than a point, Biles issued a statement that some interpreted as an indication she would be departing the international stage soon and leaving the future to her competitor.
“It is good. “I’m going to hand it to her now; she can have the rest,” Biles told Gymnastics Now.
Biles has also hinted that she may return to compete in the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
“Never say never.” “The next Olympics are at home, so you never know,” she stated on August 3, according to USA Today. “But I am getting really old.”
Biles returned to the Olympics after withdrawing from several events in Tokyo due to “twisties,” a condition that caused her to lose orientation when flying.
Biles has already spoken about her future intentions, telling The Associated Press in May that she intends to go on tour after the Olympics but has not considered what might come next.
“I would never say never and I think that would be amazing to [do this] after every Olympic cycle,” she told me. “I believe that would be a lovely thing. But just now, I can’t say yes or no. There are no concrete answers because I don’t know what life will be like in the coming years.
Simone Biles Can Still Make History
Biles still has a lot of work to do in Paris. On August 5, she will compete in the balancing beam final, followed by the floor exercise final a few hours later.
Biles has already won seven gold medals in her career, and two more would position her second all-time among American Olympians.
She also works another job in the meantime. When a fan asked Biles what her “next step” was after winning two gold medals, the gymnast gave a concise response.
“Babysitting the medal,” Biles answered.
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