Simone Biles has cast doubt on whether she will compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, citing her age and the physical demands of gymnastics. The 28-year-old, who is the most decorated gymnast of all time, told French sports daily L'Equipe that she is prioritising her personal life and is uncertain about committing to another Olympic cycle.
Biles, who will be 31 when the LA Games begin, noted that her body is 'aging' and that she felt the strain during the Paris Olympics, where she won three gold medals and a silver. 'I went back to the [Olympic] village, I took the elevator and my body literally collapsed. I was sick for 10 days,' she said. She also recounted experiencing aches for three days after a casual sprint with friends.
The gymnast emphasised that preparing for the Olympics is a four-year commitment, not just a one-year effort. 'A lot of people think it's just a one-year commitment but it truly is the four years leading up to the Olympics,' she said. While she will attend the LA Games, she is unsure whether it will be as a competitor or a spectator.
Biles praised her rival Rebeca Andrade of Brazil but suggested that gymnastics does not need both of them, as a new generation is emerging. She also confirmed she will continue to speak about mental health, a cause she championed after withdrawing from several events at the Tokyo Olympics. 'I am very proud of the work accomplished to reach this point, and I will continue to be the voice of the voiceless,' she said.
