Simone Biles may be the most decorated gymnast in Olympic history, but even she isn’t immune to the physical toll of elite competition. Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast of all time, just shook the world—not with another jaw-dropping routine, but with a heart-wrenching revelation. Behind the gold medals and fierce landings was a woman silently collapsing. And now, she’s speaking out. What really happened after the 2020 Tokyo Olympics? And is the GOAT eyeing a return for 2028? Buckle up—we’re diving into her story.
In a recent interview with French outlet L’Équipe, Biles shared that her body gave out following the conclusion of the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she delivered another stellar performance on the global stage. “At the end of the competition, I went back to the village, I took the elevator and my body literally collapsed. I got sick for 10 days,” Biles revealed. Her statement highlights the intense pressure and physical demand she faced while carrying the weight of expectation in Paris.
Now 27, Biles says the idea of competing again in four years at the 2028 Los Angeles Games is far from a sure thing. “2028 seems so far away, and my body ages,” she admitted. Though she hasn’t ruled it out entirely, Biles acknowledged that returning would require a deep personal motivation. “Because I’ve already accomplished so much, I would really need to be thrilled by it,” she said. “So, to be honest, I don’t know. We’ll see.”
Simone Biles hasn’t ruled out a 2028 return – but it’s complicated. After Paris, Biles retreated from the spotlight to recover. “I went home to Chicago,” she shared, noting her husband, NFL safety Jonathan Owens, was playing for the Bears. “I hid for a week.” The comment underscores the level of exhaustion she experienced – not just physically, but emotionally.
Even now, Biles continues to struggle with her global fame. “It’s still difficult to understand…Before, I was completely anonymous in a crowd, and that was a real blessing,” she told L’Équipe. “Now, wherever I am, people recognize me, stop me, ask for my autograph, a photo…it’s weird to be known by everyone when you, yourself, don’t seek it out.”
