Simone Biles gave a cryptic answer when asked whether Paris 2024 will be the last Olympic Games of her career.
The 27-year-old gymnast, who was already the most decorated gymnast in the world before competing in her third Olympic Games, has won all three women’s titles up for grabs in the City of Love in the past week.
Biles is clearly still at the peak of her powers and has not ruled out the possibility of competing at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
“Never say never,” Biles told reporters on Saturday.
“The next Olympics are at home, so you never know,” she continued.
Simone Biles does not rule out participation in 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles
“Never say never,” she told reporters Saturday after winning another gold medal
“But I’m really getting old,” she joked.
It’s been three years since Biles’ gymnastics career seemed over after she was forced to withdraw from the Tokyo Games due to mental health concerns.
Because Biles suffered from “twisties” – a type of mental block that causes gymnasts to become disoriented during gravity-defying routines – he took a two-year break from the sport.
Now that she’s back, she’s once again the dominant force in the gymnastics world.
Following her success in the team and all-around finals earlier this week, the Texas-born gymnast was the standout on the vault, beating Brazilian rival Rebeca Andrade with an average score of 15.300.
“Simone comes from a different world, but we always try to improve and develop as best we can,” Andrade told reporters.
Biles and her biggest rival Rebeca Andrade embraced during the vault final on Saturday
Biles narrowly defeated the Brazilian athlete to add another medal to her growing collection
“It is an encouragement for everyone to witness her incredible gymnastics achievements.”
Biles and Andrade shared a warm embrace during the vault final after the American admitted the 25-year-old Brazilian was her biggest rival.
‘I am excited and proud to compete with [Andrade]but I don’t like it anymore,” Biles joked during a press conference, revealing that she had been forced to “bring in the big guns.”
“I mean, I’m getting uncomfortable, guys. I don’t like that feeling. I was stressed,” she continued.
“I don’t want to compete with Rebeca anymore. I’m tired. She’s way too close. I’ve never had an athlete that close, so it definitely put me on edge and brought out the best athlete in me.”
Biles is expected to add to her medal haul when she competes in the women’s balance beam and floor finals on Monday.