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Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast in U.S. history with 37 Olympic and World Championship medals, is hinting that her competitive gymnastics journey may soon come to an end. In an interview with Sports Illustrated on January 2, the 2024 Sportsperson of the Year revealed that returning for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics would feel like a âlife and deathâ decision.
âIâve accomplished so much, thereâs almost nothing left to do,â said Biles, who claimed four medals at the 2024 Paris Olympicsâthree gold (team, all-around, vault) and one silver (floor exercise). âAt this point in my career, Iâm humble enough to know when to be done.â
Now 27 years old, Biles is balancing her athletic ambitions with personal goals. Married to NFL player Jonathan Owens, she reflected on the sacrifices required to compete at the highest level. âWhen youâre younger, itâs missing prom or college. Now, itâs about starting a family or spending time with my husband. Whatâs worth it?â
Her performance in Paris cemented her status as the greatest of all time, breaking Shannon Millerâs record to become the most decorated U.S. gymnast in Olympic history. Biles now holds 11 Olympic medals, including seven golds.
Despite her extraordinary achievements, Biles admitted she hasnât fully grasped the magnitude of her legacy. âI donât think the reality has set in. Maybe in a few years, Iâll look back and say, âWow, I really was good.â But for now, it feels normal because Iâve done it every day.â
With 37 Olympic and World Championship medals, Simone Biles is unmatched. Few, like Larisa Latynina (18 Olympic medals), come close to her historic dominance. While Biles hasnât officially announced her retirement, her remarks suggest she may be ready to close the chapter on her competitive career. For her fans, the question remains: Will Simone Biles grace the mat one final time in 2028?