Simone Biles wrapped at the Paris Olympics with four more medals to add to her collection — bringing her total Olympic medals to 11 and becoming the most most decorated American gymnast in Olympic history.
But what’s next? Live on TODAY Tuesday, Biles spoke to Hoda Kotb about her future in the sport and if she’s considering competing at the next Summer Games in Los Angeles in 2028.
“You know, you never say never. The next Olympics is on home turf. So you just never know,” she said. “I’m just going to relax and see where life takes me.”
The Olympian said as much after taking home a gold in the women’s vault individual final on Aug. 3.
“Never say never,” Biles said at a press conference. “Next Olympics are at home. So you just never know. I am getting really old.”
At 27, Biles became the oldest all-around gymnast since Maria Gorokhovskaya, then 30, won the all-around at the Helsinki Games in 1952.
Though just about everyone watching the Olympics so far is eager to see what awaits Biles down the line, the gymnast also spoke out over the weekend to share her thoughts on asking.
Biles said on X Aug. 4, “You guys really gotta stop asking athletes what’s next after they win a medal at the Olympics.”
you guys really gotta stop asking athletes what’s next after they win a medal at the Olympics
— Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) August 4, 2024
“Let us soak up the moment we’ve worked our whole lives for,” she added.
Between the 2016 Rio de Janeiro, 2020 Tokyo and 2024 Paris Games, Biles has accumulated 11 Olympic medals, seven of which are gold.
In Paris, Biles has had a record-breaking run, becoming the most decorated Olympic American gymnast of all time after Team USA won gold in the team final July 30. The star athlete won gold again in the all-around final Aug. 1 and vault final Aug. 3.
Though Biles was predicted to come out on top given her recent performances, all eyes were on the gymnast after she pulled out of the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, citing “the twisties,” a mental phenomenon which affects a gymnast’s ability to perceive where he or she is in the air.
Since Biles’ unexpected withdrawal from the Summer Games, she’s been open about her mental health struggles, and credits therapy with her comeback.
“To do something that I’ve done forever and just not be able to do it because of everything I’ve gone through is really crazy because I love this sport so much,” Biles told TODAY in October 2021.
“It’s hard. I’m sorry. And I don’t think people understand the magnitude of what I go through, but for so many years to go through everything that I’ve gone through having a front, I’m proud of myself.”
