Simone Biles on Her Own Terms: As New Generation of U.S. Women Take Centre Stage

The world knows her flips. The medals. The legacy. But now, Simone Biles is rewriting the script—not for the judges, not for the fans, but for herself. While a new wave of U.S. women gymnasts emerges, the GOAT herself is still right in the mix, though her eyes are also set on something more than medals—control, peace, and choice. In this article, we dive deep into Simone Biles’ evolving role in gymnastics, her honest reflections about the sport, and the rising stars shaping the future. Buckle up—because this is about more than gymnastics. It’s about power, perseverance, and purpose.

The Queen Still Reigns: Simone Biles in 2025

Let’s be clear: Simone Biles is still competing. She’s still flipping, still flying, still rewriting what’s possible on a 4-inch beam. But now, there’s a deeper narrative playing out.

A New Era of Gymnastics Is Here

The Tokyo Olympics were a turning point—not just for Simone, but for the entire sport. Now, in the run-up to Paris 2024 and beyond, a fresh generation of U.S. gymnasts is making waves.

Meet the New Powerhouses

• Shilese Jones – The all-around threat with elegance and firepower.

• Sunisa Lee – The Olympic champion who’s balancing college and elite competition.

• Jordan Chiles – Simone’s teammate and crowd favorite with charisma to spare.

These women aren’t just following in Biles’ footsteps—they’re creating their own legacy.

Simone’s Mental Health Journey Still Resonates

Tokyo 2020 Changed Everything

Remember when Simone stepped back in Tokyo? That moment made global headlines. But more than that, it shifted the conversation around mental health in sports.

“I Want It to Be My Choice When I’m Done”

This quote isn’t just about gymnastics—it’s about reclaiming autonomy. Simone Biles wants her exit to be intentional, not reactive, not forced, not based on anyone else’s timeline.

U.S. women’s gymnastics might be at a turning point this week as the best gymnasts from around the country convene at the 2025 U.S. Gymnastics Championships in New Orleans. Since 2013, superstar Simone Biles, owner of 23 world titles and seven Olympic golds, has dominated the sport, reaching heights never before known and helping Team USA to world titles in 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, and 2023 (the U.S. women also won in 2022 without Biles).

She was part of the squads at Rio 2016 and Paris 2024 that captured gold medals, giving the U.S. women the title at three of the last four Olympic Games. Yet, as Biles takes a pause from competition, the clearest sign of change came at the recent U.S. Classic outside Chicago. The Houston native entered quietly: no fanfare, no recognition on the Jumbotron, no medal presentations. It was a welcome move away from the gymnastics spotlight that has shone so brightly on her for so long.

Biles relished it – at least for now. “I’m so happy that I was in the stands and not competing because it takes a mental toll on you as well as a physical toll,” Biles told Olympics.com in an exclusive interview. “It’s only been a year,” said Biles. “I feel like if you ask me next year, maybe, I’d be like, ‘Oh, I miss that.’ But it’s crazy because I don’t get up every day and think like, ‘Oh, I wish I could flip.’ I flipped for 22 years of my life, so being right side up is kind of nice.” Simone Biles: “I want it to be my choice when I’m done.”

Biles, 28, has stopped short of confirming whether or not she’s stepping away for good, but she’s clearly considering closing the door on one of the most dominant eras in sports history. “I think as athletes, you always want to end up on top and it be your choice when you end. Paris was such a special moment,” she said. “Of course, you have some that want to go back and repeat that success because you get really hungry for it, and you know what that feels like, and you know what you’re capable of. “I’ve done so much, and I have had so much success in the sport, it’s like I want it to be my choice when I’m done. I don’t want the doctors to be like, ‘Hey. You can’t. Move on,” Biles continued. “I think for a lot of elite athletes, it’s never their choice when they get to be done. “I’m grateful – if this was the end – that I got to choose my ending.”

As Biles and Olympic teammates Suni Lee, Jade Carey, and Jordan Chiles – all absent from the competition roster in New Orleans – ponder their futures, opportunities are opening for gymnasts like Paris team gold medallist Hezly Rivera and two-time world team gold medallist Skye Blakely. Blakely was on the precipice of making her first Olympic team 13 months ago after an impressive runner-up finish to Biles at the 2024 U.S. Nationals, but an Achilles tendon tear during training ahead of the U.S. Olympic Trials dashed those dreams.

Skye Blakely, Biles on the future of U.S. gymnastics
Today, she sees the changing landscape as an exciting opportunity for the next generation. “The last two Olympics were kind of built of the same people, really,” Blakely said. “So, I think it just opens opportunities for more people, especially the younger girls, even the juniors who aren’t seniors yet. It’ll be cool to see how everybody grows. It’s a great opportunity for new faces and new names to come out of this next Olympic round.”

Biles agrees and looks forward to seeing new talent emerge on the scene. “It was exciting to see all of those girls come out from a year that was so heightened by the Olympics,” said Biles of competition at the U.S. Classic. “They weren’t afraid about our success or what USA Gymnastics is gonna look like. They’re all just out there trying to make a name for themselves, to perform well, to get their name out there so that they can get more assignments and hopefully make Worlds later this year.”

Whether Biles dons a leotard once more remains to be seen. She won’t say definitively one way or the other, but knows she’ll stay close to the sport no matter what. “Do I think I’m completely done with gymnastics in all capacity? No, absolutely not,” Biles said. “I’m always gonna be in that space because gymnastics made me who I am today. But there are also other avenues I have interest in, that I think I could be successful in as well.”