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Simone Biles
Simone Biles hints that her time on the Olympic mats has likely come to an end.
The most decorated gymnast in history told in one interview of Sports illustrated when she named her 2024 Athlete of the Year on Thursday, January 2, following her record-breaking performance at the Paris Olympics, which captivated audiences around the world.
In the interview with the outlet, Biles – who has previously played coy about her gymnastics future – revealed that the chances of her representing Team USA in 2028 are very slim.
‘Having achieved so much, there’s almost nothing left 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 be ready,” said the seven-time Olympic gold medalist.
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Simone Biles
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Biles, 27, also noted that there would be “sacrifices” and “consequences” if she decides to return to the sport she has dominated for a decade, and questioned whether it makes sense to start a family with to put off her husband. Jonathan Owens.
Related: Simone Biles Marks End of GOAT Tour as Her Future in Gymnastics Up in the Air: ‘Forever Thankful’
“If you go back, you will be greedy,” she told the outlet. “Those are the consequences. But that’s also your decision to decide. What sacrifices would be made if I go 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 it really worth?”
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 the reality of what exactly I did in the sport has sunk in,” she said.
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Simone Biles
“I can see it, and I hear it from people, and I see glimpses of it, but I don’t think I’ve realized the full extent yet. I don’t think I’ll realize it until maybe I retire and look back in a few years and think, damn, she was good. Because I see that, but I do it every day. So for me it’s normal,” Biles added.
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Simone Biles
Just after winning a gold medal in the individual jumping final in Paris on August 3, Biles spoke at a press conference about the future of her signature vault.
‘This is definitely my last Yurchenko double pike (renamed the Biles II). I mean, I kind of nailed that one. 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 really getting old.”
Related: Simone Biles says ‘Never say never’ about returning for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles
The 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles will be that the first time The Summer Olympics have been held in Atlanta, USA since the 1996 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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