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Simone Biles Contemplates Future in Gymnastics Ahead of 2028 Olympics
Simone Biles, the renowned American gymnast, has expressed uncertainty about her participation in the upcoming 2028 Olympics set to take place in Los Angeles. As the most decorated gymnast in history, Biles has secured a remarkable seven Olympic gold medals, three of which were achieved during the recent 2024 Games in Paris.
At 28 years old, Biles emerged triumphant in the team, all-around, and vault categories in Paris, following her previous withdrawal from various events at the Tokyo Olympics due to experiencing the “twisties,” a debilitating mental block that affects a gymnast’s spatial awareness.
Reflecting on her illustrious career, Biles stated, “I have accomplished so much in my sport. For me to come back, I would really need to be excited by it,” as she shared in an interview with the French sports newspaper L’Equipe.
The prospect of competing in Los Angeles, she noted, is indeed intriguing. “You’re going to tell me that the perspective of the Games in Los Angeles is fascinating. And I will be there, whether on the apparatus or in the stands, I still haven’t decided,” Biles commented, highlighting her ambivalence about returning to competition.
Following her mixed experience at the Tokyo Olympics, where she had set her sights on winning six gold medals but ultimately secured only a silver and a bronze, Biles admitted to feeling like a failure during that time. Reflecting on her future, she remarked, “2028 seems so far away,” and also acknowledged the toll that time has taken on her body.
“I felt it in Paris,” Biles recounted, revealing that after her competitions, she returned to the Olympic village feeling physically exhausted. “I took the elevator and my body literally collapsed – I got sick for 10 days.” This experience has led her to approach her future in gymnastics with caution and contemplation.
In light of her achievements and the physical demands of the sport, she concluded her thoughts with uncertainty: “So, to be honest, I don’t know. We’ll see.”
Source
www.bbc.com