The name Simone Biles is synonymous with greatness in the world of gymnastics. She’s flipped, twisted, and soared her way into history books. But in a recent emotional reveal, Simone hinted that she might not be competing in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics—and the internet is buzzing with questions. Why would the GOAT of gymnastics walk away from a home Olympics?
Simone Biles has yet to definitively say whether she’s retiring from gymnastics, or if we’ll see her at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, but for now, it seems she’s still grappling with it all. In a recent profile story for Sports Illustrated, which named Biles the Sportsperson of the Year for 2024, Biles opened up about her run at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she took home four medals, adding to her seven others. The 27-year-old has become the most decorated gymnast of all time, with more than 30 world medals.
Her star power is evident and her triumphant return to Paris after pulling out of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics mid-games due to a case of the “twisties” left many wondering if she’ll come back once more in 2028. Biles tells Sports Illustrated that an appearance in L.A. would be “life and death.” “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,” Biles said.
The gymnast worries about competing at what is considered an older age for the sport — as many, including Biles, start gymnastics at such a young age. She also foresees being interpreted as “greedy” if she goes back for more medals. “If you go back, you’ll be greedy,” Biles said. “Those are the consequences. But that’s also your decision to decide. She continued: “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’s really worth it?”
Biles is married to Chicago Bears player Jonathan Owens. According to Biles’ recent interview, she said the two are currently building a house in the Houston, Texas area where she grew up. While she hasn’t given a set answer yet about what her future in the sport looks like, Simone Biles is still grappling with her legacy — which includes pulling off new stunts and continually blowing the competition out of the water.
“I don’t think the reality has set in of what I’ve exactly done in the sport,” Biles said. “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 ’til maybe I retire and look back in a couple years like, Damn, she was good. Because I can see that, but I do it every day. So for me, it’s normal.”
