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Never say never’: Simone Biles not ruling out competing at 2028 Olympics in LA

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Simone Biles

Simone Biles is getting kind of old for this. Just maybe not too old to keep going. Maybe.

Minutes after the American gymnastics star won the seventh Olympic gold of her career on Saturday in a vault final that left little doubt that even at 27 years old she remains in a class all by herself, she played coy when asked if the event marked the final time she would ever explode off the springboard in competition.

Simone Biles wins seventh Olympic gold medal in stunning vault final
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While Biles allowed she was officially retiring her eponymous Yurchenko double pike vault because “I kind of nailed that one” at the Paris Olympics, she didn’t rule out a return to the Games when they move to Los Angeles in 2028.

Simone Biles Lifestyle, Husband, Family, Real Estate, and Net Worth

“Never say never,” Biles said. “Next Olympics are at home. So you just never know. I am getting really old.”

At times, it’s hard to tell. After winning gold in the individual all-around and helping the US to a dominant win in team all-around, Simone Biles picked up her third gold medal in five days on Saturday.

Over the past few Olympic cycles, women’s artistic gymnastics has undergone a sea change. The average age of the best competitors has increased and a number of big names are enjoying extended careers.

By the time LA rolls around in 2028, Biles will be 31. Maria Gorokhovskaya is the oldest gymnast to win the all-around title, taking the gold at 30 years old in 1952 for the Soviet Union. Not that making history would be anything new to Biles – she is already the second-oldest gymnast to take the all-around title. Hungarian Ágnes Keleti continued to win individual gold medals at 35.

Jonathan Owens sparks outrage for wearing wife Simone Biles' gold medal after Olympics win | The Independent

Biles is not the only US gymnast who could have eyes on 2028.

Jade Carey, 24, was edged out of silver by Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade in the vault. Not that Carey was complaining. Three years after tripping during the vault final and finishing last, Carey achieved the “redemption” she was looking for when she pointed to an Olympic return.

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“I wanted to prove to myself that I can do two vaults in the final,” Carey said. “(To) walk away with the medal is really special for me.”

Carey’s Olympics are over. Biles’ are not. She will have two more chances to boost her medal haul in Paris in the balance beam and floor exercise finals on Monday. And with a home Games ahead, she may go beyond that.

Jonathan Owens' Surprising First Encounter with Simone Biles: What He Really Thought!” - YouTube

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“I wanted to prove to myself that I can do two vaults in the final,” Carey said. “(To) walk away with the medal is really special for me.”

Carey’s Olympics are over. Biles’ are not. She will have two more chances to boost her medal haul in Paris in the balance beam and floor exercise finals on Monday. And with a home Games ahead, she may go beyond that.

Simone Biles' Husband Shows Major Support for Her Olympics Run

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GYMNASTICS

Simone Biles says she knew people would ‘go crazy over’ her ‘GOAT’ necklace

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Simone Biles says she knew people would 'go crazy over' her 'GOAT' necklace

Simone Biles has long been nicknamed a “GOAT” — or the “Greatest Of All Time.” Now, she has an accessory to match the acronym.

The American gymnast, who became the most decorated American gymnast in the history of the Olympic Games this week, drew praise from fans online after showing off a new necklace alongside her gold medal.

The white gold necklace, which she clung onto proudly while on the podium on Thursday, is a diamond-covered goat. It was custom made for the Olympian by Janet Heller, founder and CEO of Janet Heller Fine Jewelry in Calabasas, Calif

READ MORE:What to watch for the Paris Olympics: Simone Biles leads US in gymnastics final Tuesday, July 30

“She reached out to us about five weeks ago to say that she wanted to do a goat necklace,” Heller told NBC News. Biles didn’t give Heller too many specifics, she said, and so the jeweler went through “several iterations” before landing on the final design.

Simone Biles Statistical Lock to Lead U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Team

“What she didn’t know we would be doing, which was a huge surprise to her, was that we made it 3D,” Heller said. The necklace has 546 diamonds.

Biles said she knew the necklace would draw attention.

“My GOAT necklace is just kind of an ode, because the people love it and some people hate it,” she told reporters at a news conference. “So, it’s like the best of both worlds. I was like, ‘OK, if it goes well, we’ll wear the GOAT necklace.’ I know people will go crazy over it.”

She elaborated in an interview with BBC, saying that her “haters” also inspired her to get the design.

“And the haters hate it so I love that even more and it’s just a special part of me that I have here, as well as in the village I have like a stuffed goat, just to get a reminder: ‘You can go out there, you can do it, you’ve done it before, so let’s go.’ ’

Jeux olympiques. Gymnastique : Simone Biles se retire également des finales de dimanche

The accessory isn’t the first piece of jewelry Biles has purchased from Heller’s company, which also made a gold and diamond Olympic ring necklace for the gymnastics champion.

Follow live updates on the 2024 Olympics

It’s also not the first time Biles has paid homage to the nickname. In 2021, she wore a leotard that had a bedazzled goat on it.

“We wore the goat just to kind of, I wouldn’t say piss people off, but mess with them because there were a lot of people that say, ‘Hey Simone, you’re the goat,’ but then if I acknowledge it, then I’m cocky,” Biles said in July 2021, during an episode of the Facebook Watch series “Simone vs. Herself.”

Heller described working with Biles as an “honor” and “privilege.”

UPDATE:‘No flashbacks’ – the moment Biles was sure about gold

“I found her to be so humble, down-to-earth and appreciative,” she said. “It really was the cherry on the top. She was amazing to work with.”

While some people have reached out to the jeweler asking her to recreate the goat necklace for them, Heller said she’s refused.

“It’s very special, very one-of-a-kind,” she said.

Biles has three events left in Paris, including a vault event on Saturday and balance beam and floor finals on Monday.

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GYMNASTICS

‘No flashbacks’ – the moment Biles was sure about gold

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'No flashbacks' - the moment Biles was sure about gold

This was more than just a vault for Simone Biles. It was the moment she lay to rest the Olympic ghosts of three years ago.

The American took in a deep breath as she stood at the end of a 25-metre runway in Paris on Tuesday, preparing to help her USA team-mates reclaim the women’s gymnastics team title they had lost in Tokyo in a final that Biles started but was unable to complete when the ‘twisties’ struck during her vault.

READ MORE:What to watch for the Paris Olympics: Simone Biles leads US in gymnastics final Tuesday, July 30

In front of a packed Bercy Arena, where Serena Williams, Michael Phelps and Bill Gates were among those watching, she powered on to the table and twisted off to land firmly on her feet, breaking into a huge smile as the crowd roared.

“After I finished vault I was relieved – I was like ‘woo, there’s no flashbacks’,” Biles, 27, said.

“I did feel a lot of relief and as soon as I landed I knew that we were going to do this.”

Simone Biles is full of joy as she and Jonathan Owens continue their honeymoon period | Marca

And she was right. She and her team-mates went on to win gold by a comfortable margin ahead of Italy and Brazil.

From the moment she landed her vault in the first round, Biles seemed to relax – high-fiving her team-mates Sunisa Lee, Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey and Hezly Rivera, before, one after another, they delivered a series of accomplished routines.

In Tokyo Biles had been left cheering on the team from the stands while afflicted by the dangerous mental block where gymnasts get lost in the air. It led to her pulling out of four individual finals at a Games where she had been tipped for several gold medals.

RELATED:Claims made that Simone Biles could miss Paris Olympics

She returned to compete in the beam final, taking an emotional bronze, but it was not until now – eight years after she won four gold medals at Rio 2016 – that she could return to the top of the Olympic podium.

“Now that I’m much older, we have so much more experience and we’re out here really having fun and enjoying what we’re doing – so I think it’s just different,” she said when asked about the 2016 and 2024 team golds.

Biles has qualified for another four finals in Paris, with her next medal opportunity coming in Thursday’s all-around final.

Simone Biles to Return to Competitive Gymnastics After Olympics Exit, doing gymnastics

Biles back at the top on her term

After the events in Tokyo, it had looked like we might have seen Biles at her final Olympics.

However, you are not going draw a celebrity crowd and transcend your sport unless you really are something special.

When she returned to gymnastics last summer after a two-year break, it was soon clear that she was still at her best. In fact, you could argue, even better.

She had soon won a sixth world all-around title and showcased some of her most difficult gymnastics, and she had also added a new skill, the Biles II vault – a fifth move to be named after her.

Even coming into these Olympics she submitted a new uneven bars move to the gymnastics federation, meaning she will become the only active gymnast to have eponymous skills on all four apparatus if she performs it here.

The limits she has pushed go beyond anything she lands on the mats.

Her willingness to talk about her mental health in Tokyo opened up conversations about the subject, having delivered a powerful message that personal wellbeing comes above medals.

She has given a detailed account in a recent Netflix documentary about what happened in Tokyo, the pressure of expectation and the impact of being called a “quitter” by some on social media and beyond at the time.

When speaking at a hearing into the Larry Nassar abuse scandal she said the “scars of this horrific abuse” by the former USA team doctor had been an “exceptionally difficult burden” without her family at the pandemic-hit Tokyo Games.

Simone Biles headlines star-studded 2024 Core Classic field ahead of Paris Olympics

In the documentary she showed viewers the “forbidden Olympic closet” – the cupboard in her spare room where the kits, medals and other items related to those Games are stored. That is where she says she spent a lot of time crying.

She has detailed what she has gone through to get back to the point where she is winning Olympic gold again, saying after the team final that she had “started off with therapy this morning”.

Biles has returned to her sport on her terms.

“Nobody’s forcing me to do it,” she said earlier this year.

The team took the pressure off her by telling her she does not need to compete in every event and she did not speak to reporters after training or qualifying sessions.

These Games are different to Tokyo – her husband is here with her, fans are back in the stands, attitudes to mental health have changed.

And the world’s most decorated gymnast has a new Olympic gold medal.

When does Simone Biles compete next?

Simone Biles has qualified for four more finals in Paris.

She is in the all-around final on Thursday, followed by the vault final on Saturday and the floor and beam finals on Monday.

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What to watch for the Paris Olympics: Simone Biles leads US in gymnastics final Tuesday, July 30

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Simone Biles leads the U.S. women into the gymnastics team final as part of an action-packed slate Tuesday at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Here is a guide of what to look out for:

Biles in gymnastics team final despite injury

The 27-year-old Biles is in the lineup to compete in all four events of the team final despite a calf injury. Biles tweaked her left calf while warming up for floor exercise during qualifying on Sunday. She still topped the all-around with the highest scores on floor and vault.

Competition begins at 6:15 p.m. CEST (12:15 p.m. EST) at Bercy Arena. The Americans are favored to win gold after finishing runner-up to Russia in 2021.

Biles’ teammate Jordan Chiles also will compete in all four events. Chiles finished fourth in the all-around during qualifying behind Biles, Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade and 2020 Olympic champion Sunisa Lee.

Who will join Simone Biles on US gymnastics team at 2024 Olympics?

U.S. women start defense of 3×3 basketball title

The U.S. women begin defense of their 2021 Olympic title in 3×3 basketball when the competition begins Tuesday. Dearica Hamby and Rhyne Howard of the WNBA join Hailey Van Lith, a college basketball player at Texas Christian University, and former WNBA player Cierra Burdick on the team. They will face Germany at 5:30 p.m. CEST (11 a.m. EST) at La Concorde.

Simone Biles Wins Tokyo Olympics Bronze Medal In Beam Final

Katie Ledecky back in pool, swimming finals continue

Ledecky is back in the pool to compete in the women’s 1,500-meter freestyle, one of her signature events. The qualifying heats start at 11:44 a.m. CEST (5:44 a.m. EST) at Paris La Defense Arena. Ledecky is the world and Olympic record holder in the event and is a favorite to defend her 2021 title

The women’s 100 backstroke final will take place at 8:56 p.m. CEST (2:56 p.m. EST). That’ll be followed by the men’s 800 free final. Ireland’s Daniel Wiffen qualified in first place in the heats at 7:41.53.

The last swimming final Tuesday is the men’s 4×200 free relay at 10:01 p.m. CEST (4 p.m. EST).

The gold and bronze medal matches for women’s rugby sevens add to the excitement of Tuesday’s slate. The bronze match at Stade de France will start at 7 p.m. CEST (1 p.m. EST), followed by the gold medal match at 7:45 p.m.

New Zealand, the defending champion, will face the U.S. for a spot in the final. New Zealand beat China 55-5 in the quarterfinals, and the U.S. defeated Britain 17-7. Canada beat Tokyo runner-up France 19-14 and will play Australia in the second semifinal match.

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Low pressure but not low key as Biles returns to Games

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Low pressure but not low key as Biles returns to Games

When Simone Biles landed a spectacular vault in Paris on Thursday, she made a huge statement in what is supposed to be a low-pressure return to the Olympic stage.

The American, the most decorated gymnast in history with 37 world and Olympic medals, is back after pulling out of several events at the Tokyo Games three years ago with the ‘twisties’ – a disorientating mental block.

Many wondered if they would ever see her at a Games again, but now the 27-year-old is giving herself the chance to add to her seven Olympic medals.

She has returned with a new skill – the Yurchenko double pike vault, which was last year named the Biles II after she became the first woman to land it in competition, and which is one of five gymnastic elements named after her.

Simone Biles on Embracing Her Sexy Side During Second SI Swimsuit Shoot, How She Stays Motivated

It was this move that she executed perfectly at the Bercy Arena in podium training – the only chance gymnasts get to practise on the equipment in the venue before they compete there.

Nailed, stuck, not a hint of a shuffle.

“She looked good,” coach Cecile Landi said when asked how Biles had appeared mentally and physically in the training session.

For those who witnessed that vault, though, that assessment may have sounded like an understatement. But everything about the USA team’s build-up to the Games has been about keeping the pressure off Biles.

She and her team-mates were ushered quickly out of the arena after training, with the team deciding to put the coaches forward to speak to the waiting pack of reporters instead.

Biles has also been told she does not have to compete in all events if she does not want to.

Simone Biles flaunts her incredible abs during her 'mini moon' | Daily Mail Online

“I think it’s going to be day by day, we’re going to decide after qualification,” Landi said. “I think for her just knowing that she has the option to say ‘Hey, I maybe want to take one event off out of the whole two weeks,’ is mentally helping.”

Biles’ return to the Olympics may be low pressure, but it will not be low key.

It was easy to see where the American was in the arena during this training session – just look for the photographers. And it was impossible to miss the quality of a skill only she can perform.

When the arena fills up on Sunday for the women’s qualification round, there will be one gymnast everyone is watching.

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GYMNASTICS

Claims made that Simone Biles could miss Paris Olympics

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Simone Biles 

Simone Biles is one of the United States‘ top athletes, with more medals of any gymnast in the country’s history and widely regarded as one of the greatest in her field. She has claimed seven Olympic medals, but even those accolades do not guarantee her presence at the upcoming Paris Olympic Games.

The 27-year-old famously dropped out of the Tokyo Games last time around, citing mental health issues as the reason, which raised massive awareness of these kind of issues given her incredible feats of the past.

  • Olympics. Simone Biles celebrates husband Jonathan Owens’ birthday from Olympic Village
  • Olympics. LeBron James selected as Team USA male flagbearer for Paris Olympics opening ceremony

Simone Biles is one of the United States‘ top athletes, with more medals of any gymnast in the country’s history and widely regarded as one of the greatest in her field. She has claimed seven Olympic medals, but even those accolades do not guarantee her presence at the upcoming Paris Olympic Games.

The 27-year-old famously dropped out of the Tokyo Games last time around, citing mental health issues as the reason, which raised massive awareness of these kind of issues given her incredible feats of the past.

Claims made that Simone Biles could miss Paris Olympics

  • Olympics. Simone Biles celebrates husband Jonathan Owens’ birthday from Olympic Village
  • Olympics. LeBron James selected as Team USA male flagbearer for Paris Olympics opening ceremony

Simone Biles is one of the United States‘ top athletes, with more medals of any gymnast in the country’s history and widely regarded as one of the greatest in her field. She has claimed seven Olympic medals, but even those accolades do not guarantee her presence at the upcoming Paris Olympic Games.

The 27-year-old famously dropped out of the Tokyo Games last time around, citing mental health issues as the reason, which raised massive awareness of these kind of issues given her incredible feats of the past.

Simone Biles and the gymnastics team in their final training session for Paris

Now, as the Paris Games approach, some believe that she will either drop out altogether or pace herself through the competition.

Washington Post reporter Emily Giambalvo has claimed that Team USA Gymnastics Technical Lead Chellsie Memmel is considering dosing Biles’ appearances.

“Chellsie Memmel said she has talked with Cecile Landi, Simone Biles‘s coach, about the option for Biles to not compete all four events in the team final if they feel that’s what’s best for her. Decision is up to Biles but the option is available,” wrote Giambalvo on X.

What did Memmel recently say about Biles’ condition?

This claim comes just under two weeks since Memmel publicly stated that Team USA is going all out for gold and that Simone Biles would be at the heart of that.

“If she can put together her normal gymnastics, there is no doubt in my mind that she can be an Olympic all-around champion,” Memmel told TMJ4.

“Simone paced herself really well. You know, coming back. Starting with last year. Competing, doing amazing at World Championships. You know, she’s added in even a little bit more difficulty coming into the Olympics.

  • Olympics. LeBron James selected as Team USA male flagbearer for Paris Olympics opening ceremony

Simone Biles is one of the United States‘ top athletes, with more medals of any gymnast in the country’s history and widely regarded as one of the greatest in her field. She has claimed seven Olympic medals, but even those accolades do not guarantee her presence at the upcoming Paris Olympic Games.

The 27-year-old famously dropped out of the Tokyo Games last time around, citing mental health issues as the reason, which raised massive awareness of these kind of issues given her incredible feats of the past.

Simone Biles and the gymnastics team in their final training session for Paris

Now, as the Paris Games approach, some believe that she will either drop out altogether or pace herself through the competition.

Washington Post reporter Emily Giambalvo has claimed that Team USA Gymnastics Technical Lead Chellsie Memmel is considering dosing Biles’ appearances.

“Chellsie Memmel said she has talked with Cecile Landi, Simone Biles‘s coach, about the option for Biles to not compete all four events in the team final if they feel that’s what’s best for her. Decision is up to Biles but the option is available,” wrote Giambalvo on X.

Claims made that Simone Biles could miss Paris Olympics

What did Memmel recently say about Biles’ condition?

This claim comes just under two weeks since Memmel publicly stated that Team USA is going all out for gold and that Simone Biles would be at the heart of that.

“If she can put together her normal gymnastics, there is no doubt in my mind that she can be an Olympic all-around champion,” Memmel told TMJ4.

“Simone paced herself really well. You know, coming back. Starting with last year. Competing, doing amazing at World Championships. You know, she’s added in even a little bit more difficulty coming into the Olympics.”

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“When we’re at competitions together? You know I try to check in, but also I try to leave things up to her. You know, she knows where she’s at.

“The coaches are with her day in, day out. You know, they know her best. They know her in the gym. But also knowing that if she needs to do this? Or if she needs to have a therapy session? That’s what we’re going to do

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GYMNASTICS

SZA HANDSTAND-OFF W/ SIMONE BILES … Puts Flexibility On Display….

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Claims made that Simone Biles could miss Paris Olympics
Simone Biles is the most decorated gymnast ever, but R&B sensation SZA impressively held her own against the GOAT on the mat — with the two going head-to-head in a handstand competition!!

The friendly contest went down at Biles’ gym in a promotion for the 2024 Summer Olympics … with the Grammy winner meeting the American athlete for the first time, which she called a dream come true.

SZA VS SIMONE BILES

The “Snooze” artist — a former gymnast herself — opened up on her own experiences in the sport … saying once she knew she wasn’t going to be able to compete at the national level, it was time to try her hand at music.

The two stretched as they chopped it up a bit more before the handstand showdown … with SZA showing off her wild flexibility as she did the splits and answered Biles’ questions.

Then, it was time for the main event … and the two got in formation to see who could stand on their hands the longest.

SIMONE BILES

SZA playfully tried to throw Biles off by getting in her territory … and while some would consider that cheating, Simone took it in stride.

“She’s coming over here?! Haha, she’s gonna knock me over,” Biles laughed.

Eventually, the tactic worked … ’cause Biles gave up — crowning SZA the winner of the handstand-off.

“That was sooooo good,” Biles said after taking the L.

SZA

Of course, it’s not every day you hear about someone beating Biles in gymnastics — she’s got seven Olympic medals … including four golds. She has also won 23 gold World Championships.

Don’t expect the losing streak to continue when Biles competes in Paris in a few weeks … ’cause we’re sure she’ll be taking that just a bit more seriously.

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