Is Simone Biles retiring? Here’s What She Said When Everyone Asked “What’s Next?”

After reminding us all why she’s still the best at the Paris Olympics, media and fans alike continue to ask the same question: is Simone Biles retiring? We’re delving into everything she’s said about her future intentions, including the most recent statement the gymnast sent to those asking “what’s next?”

If you missed any of her competitions, know that Biles was in peak form in Paris. She won gold medals in both the team and individual all-around championships, then crushed it again in the women’s vault final. After a difficult 2020 Games in which she demonstrated incredible courage by walking away to prioritize her mental health, Biles clearly brought her all to the mat for her comeback at the 2024 Games. But it hasn’t stopped people from speculating if she can—and will—do it all again in four years.

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Biles took to social media after winning gold for her vault performance, gently reminding reporters and fans to calm down with all the speculation regarding her future in the sport. “You guys really gotta stop asking athletes what’s next after they win a medal at the Olympics,” she said X.

In a follow-up post, Biles asked everyone to “let us soak up the moment” when it comes to recognizing athletes’ accomplishments in Paris. And you know what? She has a point. Biles has more than earned the right to revel in her accomplishments!

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But will Simone Biles retire?

Here’s the deal: Biles isn’t saying much about retirement. Biles did not rule out competing in the 2028 Olympics when asked by the Associated Press a few months before Paris. However, she did not confirm anything.

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“I would never say never, and I think it would be fantastic to do this after every Olympic cycle,” Biles said, alluding to her post-Olympics Gold Over America Tour. “I believe that would be a lovely thing. But just now, I can’t say yes or no. Like, no clear answers because I’m not sure what my life will be like in the coming years.”

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Now this is when things become interesting. Rebeca Andrade, Biles’ friendly opponent, may have hinted at her retirement in a July 2024 interview with The Washington Post. According to Andrade, Biles had privately “confided that Paris would be her final competition,” the Post reports. How did Andrade respond? “I said, ‘No, girl, don’t do this.'”

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