Simone Biles’ latest comments about her future have fans wondering about a return to the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
Despite leaving the door open to another run at gold medals in the next Games, Biles certainly appears to be a gymnast contemplating her retirement from the sport.
“Never say never,” she told USA Today following her domination in Paris. “The next Olympics is at home, so you just never know.”
Now, she seems to be casting doubt on that prospect.
Biles, who would be 31 by the time the Olympic torch is lit in Los Angeles, revealed her mindset about giving it one more tumble during her appearance on The Tonight Show Wednesday.
Simone Biles To Return In 2028?
Jimmy Fallon, the host of The Tonight Show, asked what all of Simone Biles’ fans are wondering – does she see herself making a return in 2028?
“Everybody wants to know this question. I’m like, ‘Can’t I live?” Biles laughed.
It’s what came next that will have viewers thinking she may have had enough due to her age. Gymnastics is a sport dominated by the young, and if Simone qualifies for Los Angeles she’d be the oldest American women’s gymnast since Marie Margaret Hoesly, who was 35 at the 1952 Olympics.
And Biles is taking note of her age.
“First I’m getting older, 27 is a little bit old for a gymnast,” Biles continued. “In gymnastics, I’m aging like fine wine. For a gymnast, old. Outside of the gym, I’m young, tequila, no hangover!”
.@Simone_Biles answers the question that everyone's been asking 👀 #FallonTonight #LA28 pic.twitter.com/DK2LVz3xsV
— The Tonight Show (@FallonTonight) September 5, 2024
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Still Wants To Make An Impact
Well, she’s definitely young, but that comment about tequila – we can’t let that slide. Biles celebrated her performance in Paris by bragging, “Tequila hate to see me coming” and a couple of days later wrote, “I’m never drinking again”.
Tequila, my dear, does not discriminate by age. It comes for all.
Simone Biles voiced some concerns about her body last month, causing fans to wonder if a return in 2028 is in the cards.
“I am really tired,” the most decorated gymnast in American history confessed in a TikTok video. “I feel like my body is slowing starting to shut down, like, it’s ready to be done.”
Biles told Fallon that she’d like to stay involved in American gymnastics in some manner. In part, to impress upon the next generation that things are okay even when you’re not winning.
“I feel like, throughout gymnastics, as long as I’m inspiring the next generation and having fun and just making sure that it’s not all about winning, but still putting a good foot forward even when it doesn’t go your way,” she said.
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