Simone Biles May Not Compete At 2028 Los Angeles Olympics
Simone Biles recently gave an interview with French sports daily L’Equipe where she said she was unsure about her future in the Olympics. The next Summer Olympics will occur in 2028 and take place in Los Angeles, California.
The 28-year-old has had a long and highly decorated career, and discussed how she’s very mindful over the demand that gymnastics puts on her body. Biles will be 31 when the LA Olympics begin, and while 31 is young, in the realm of professional gymnastics it’s an age where most gymnasts have already retired.
The oldest all-around female gymnastics champion is Maria Gorokhovskaya, who won the gold at the 1952 Olympics when she was 30-years-old.
“I’m really trying to enjoy life, to spend time with my husband, go support him at his games, live my life as a woman,” she said, referring to her partner NFL player Jonathan Owens.
“I’ve accomplished so much in my sport. For me to come back, it would really have to excite me.”
Biles is the most decorated gymnast of all time, and in order to have earned that title, she had to work on a level most of us can’t fathom. She discussed how a lot of the times fans underestimate the amount of preparation it takes to compete in the Olympics.
“A lot of people think it’s just a one-year commitment but it truly is the four years leading up to the Olympics. It’s in LA, it’s back in the States, which is so exciting. But if I’m going to compete again, I’m not so sure,” she said.
Regardless of if Biles will compete or not, she’s fully planning on attending the 2028 Games. “Whether on the [gymnastics] apparatus or in the stands, I still don’t know that, but 2028 seems so far away, and my body is aging. I felt it in Paris.”
At the most recent Summer Olympics in Paris, Biles won three gold medals and a silver. Overall, the iconic gymnast has earned seven Olympic gold medals and 11 overall. A feat like that is incredible, however, Biles emphasized the toll that took on her body and mind.
“I went back to the [Olympic] village, I took the elevator and my body literally collapsed. I was sick for 10 days. The other day, we were sprinting in the garden with friends, I had aches and pains for three days. So, I honestly don’t know. We’ll see,” she explained.
Biles then spoke on the future of gymnastics as a whole and praised her rival Rebeca Andrade from Brazil. Andrade has torn her ACL three times throughout her career, but managed to recover and continue to compete in the sport and earn medals. Biles said Andrade would push her beyond her limits, and now she doesn’t think the world of gymnastics necessarily needs both of them.
“It only needs one of us, no? Especially since [Andrade] will not be alone. A young generation will knock at the door and everything will start again,” Biles said.
Biles was speaking to L’Equipe ahead of the Laureus Awards in Madrid, where she was once again honored with the Sportswoman of the Year award. Whatever the future holds for Biles’ career in gymnastics, it’s safe to say her legacy is set in stone.
“I am very proud of the work accomplished to reach this point, and I will continue to be the voice of the voiceless.”
Eric Mastrota is a Contributing Editor at The National Digest based in New York. A graduate of SUNY New Paltz, he reports on world news, culture, and lifestyle. You can reach him at eric.mastrota@thenationaldigest.com.
