Simone Biles unsure of competing at 2028 LA Olympics: ‘My body is aging'
Simone Biles says she is unsure whether she will compete at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
The 28-year-old says she has other priorities, and is mindful of the demands her sport puts on her body at an age when most elite gymnasts have long since retired. Biles will be 31 when the LA Olympics start: the oldest all-around female gymnastics champion is Maria Gorokhovskaya, who won gold at the age of 30 at the 1952 Games.
'I'm really trying to enjoy life, to spend time with my husband [NFL player Jonathan Owens)], go support him at his games, live my life as a woman,' she said in an interview with French sports daily L'Equipe published on Tuesday. 'I've accomplished so much in my sport. For me to come back, it would really have to excite me.'
Related: Simone Biles' coach says gymnast suffered from 'twisties' before 2016 Olympics
Biles, the most decorated gymnast of all time, says many fans underestimate the time taken in preparing for the Olympics. '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. 'It's in LA it's back in the States, which is so exciting. But if I'm going to compete again, I'm not so sure.'
Biles said she will attend the Games in LA, but is unsure in what capacity. 'Whether on the [gymnastics] apparatus or in the stands, I still don't know that,' she told L'Equipe. 'But 2028 seems so far away, and my body is aging. I felt it in Paris.'
Biles won three gold medals and a silver at the Paris Olympics, taking her career tally to seven Olympic golds and 11 medals overall. But she says her body suffered under the strain.
'I went back to the [Olympic] village, I took the elevator and my body literally collapsed. I was sick for 10 days,' she said, before recounting another experience. 'The other day, we were sprinting in the garden with friends, I had aches and pains for three days. So, I honestly don't know. We'll see.'
She praised her rival, Rebeca Andrade of Brazil, for recovering from injury and for 'pushing me beyond my limits,' but also said gymnastics no longer needs both of them.
'It only needs one of us, no? Especially since [Andrade] will not be alone,' Biles said. 'A young generation will knock at the door and everything will start again.'
The interview took place before Monday's Laureus Awards in Madrid, where Biles was named sportswoman of the year. Swedish pole vaulter Armand Duplantis, the double Olympic champion and world record holder, was named sportsman of the year.
Whatever she decides regarding her career, Biles says she will continue to speak about mental health. Biles withdrew from several events at the Tokyo Olympics, partly because she wanted to preserve her mental health.
'I am very proud of the work accomplished to reach this point,' she said, 'and I will continue to be the voice of the voiceless.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fox News
25 minutes ago
- Fox News
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel delivers brutally honest take on star cornerback Jalen Ramsey's trade situation
The Miami Dolphins and Jalen Ramsey mutually agreed to explore trade options heading into the 2025 season, but that was almost two months ago. While no deal has been made, head coach Mike McDaniel doesn't seem worried, concerned or any other adjective about Ramsey's situation. "I don't give a s--- about what I feel," he said when asked his thoughts on the trade dilemma. "I don't even really go down that road of, 'How do I feel about it?' My job is to react and control my controllables and make sure that people are moving in one direction appropriately." McDaniel spoke during his team's opening day of mandatory minicamp, where Ramsey wasn't present, as expected. He has elected to remain away from the Dolphins until his situation is resolved. It's a bit surprising to see the 30-year-old not be dealt over the past two months given he's on the market. Ramsey is a seven-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro who continues to play at a high level at the cornerback position. But when you look at the financials, perhaps it makes sense why the Dolphins remain the team employing Ramsey. He signed a three-year, $72.3 million extension just one season ago, meaning teams would have to carry a heavy cap hit to trade for Ramsey, unless some sort of financial package can be reached in the process with Miami. As a result, McDaniel is simply focused on the roster he has present at his minicamp. He enters his fourth year on the job, and he could be on the hot seat if Miami doesn't turn things around after an 8-9 season. Of course, quarterback play is a large factor in teams winning and losing, and it didn't help that Tua Tagovailoa suffered yet another concussion that had him out early in the season. McDaniel's offense requires precise timing and accuracy, and Tagovailoa has thrived in that atmosphere when healthy. But the Dolphins couldn't keep things afloat with him out, and when Tagovailoa returned, they weren't able to make a run into the playoffs. McDaniel will hope the 2025 campaign is more like 2023, when the Dolphins went 11-6 to reach the playoffs. They play in a tough AFC East division, where the New England Patriots got better in all facets and the New York Jets have a dual-threat quarterback leading the way in Justin Fields. And, of course, Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills are still the team to beat. So, McDaniel has a lot to worry about in terms of getting his team prepared for a hopeful playoff run, and he's clearly letting it be known he doesn't have time for players who wanted to be traded. "The business is business – the opportunity that business does provide in the offseason is a rep to the team about handling noise," McDaniel added. "Noise is [something] that don't have to do with what actually you're there to do… Business and offseasons allow you to speak to your team about how the focus of noise is a constant battle that, [to be] successful, you have to win." The Dolphins open their season on the road against the Indianapolis Colts on Sept. 7 at 1 p.m. ET. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Fox Sports
29 minutes ago
- Fox Sports
New Bruins coach Marco Sturm has seen the passion of Boston fans — from both sides
Associated Press BOSTON (AP) — Marco Sturm got his first taste of the passionate Bruins fans when he was traded to Boston for No. 1 overall draft pick — and soon-to-be NHL MVP — Joe Thornton. 'I mean, it wasn't my fault, right?' the former Bruins forward told chuckling reporters on Tuesday at a news conference to introduce him as the team's coach. 'I got here, and it was difficult. I'm not going to lie. You read the paper or social media or even you go on the street, people will let you know, right? "But also it pushes you. And I saw it in the positive way," Sturm said. 'I've got such good memories here. And I know the fans, as soon as they feel that there's something good happening here, they will support you. I know that. It kind of goes the other way, too. But I don't want to talk about that. I want to look forward.' A three-time Olympian and first-round draft pick who played five of his 14 NHL seasons for the Bruins, Sturm led Germany to a silver medal at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics and spent the next six years in the Los Angeles Kings organization, the last three as head coach of its AHL affiliate. The 46-year-old former left wing replaces Joe Sacco, who finished the season as the interim coach after Jim Montgomery was fired in November. Bruins general manager Don Sweeney said that as the team tries to rebuild after missing the playoffs for the first time since 2016 it was important to have a coach 'who understands our fan base and values the same things — of being incredibly hard out each and every night.' The Bruins marked the occasion with a news conference in their offices overlooking Causeway Street and the TD Garden. Former captain Patrice Bergeron, who assisted on Sturm's overtime game-winner in the 2010 Winter Classic at Fenway Park, was in the front row as a show of support. German chocolate cupcakes — a nod to the new coach's heritage — were served. Sturm said he never considered coaching while he played, but he started working with his own kids before getting the job as head coach and general manager of the German national team in 2015. 'And that's where I really realized, 'This is actually me,'' he said. 'And that's where I have passion. That's where I'm good at. And then to go after that.' He put his plans for family time on hold and spent six years living in Los Angeles, away from his wife and children. 'I was chasing my dream,' Sturm said, adding that the children, who are now 19 and 21, missed Boston since moving away. 'My kids grew up there. They always wanted to come back. And here I am. Now they get their wish.' Sturm said he wouldn't have taken just any opening, but the Bruins presented a team that has strong goaltending in Jeremy Swayman and a solid core led by defenseman Charlie McAvoy and forward David Pastrnak that could push for the playoffs if it stays healthy. Boston also stockpiled draft picks and young talent from the midseason trade deadline purge that shipped off several veterans — including Brad Marchand, the only remaining member of their 2011 Stanley Cup championship roster. After posting 100-plus points in six straight non-pandemic-shortened seasons — including a Presidents' Trophy in 2023, when they set NHL records of 65 wins and 135 points — the Bruins finished with 76 points this season; only three teams were worse. 'Every job — it doesn't matter if you're in Boston or not — will be a challenge. But it's a good challenge. I love challenges," Sturm said. 'I know the expectations here. I know how it is. But as long as I'm putting my work and preparation in, I know I will be in good shape.' ___ AP NHL: recommended
Associated Press
30 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Trey Hendrickson skips Bengals minicamp seeking new contract
CINCINNATI (AP) — Defensive lineman Trey Hendrickson was not at the opening day of the Cincinnati Bengals minicamp on Tuesday as he seeks a new contract. Hendrickson is expected to be fined for his absence, as coach Zac Taylor warned him about last month. Quarterback Joe Burrow agreed with a question that asked if Hendrickson's absence was a distraction. 'Last year we had two (with wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins working through contract issues), this year we have one. We do have less. Love to have none but that's life in the NFL. We're all supporting Trey and would love for him to be back,' he said. 'The young guys get more reps in training camp, and that's big for them. Nobody is worried about Trey working hard and doing what he needs to do to be ready if we happen to have him this year.' Burrow acknowledged that it's a possibility that the Bengals might not have Hendrickson in 2025. He said that wouldn't make the Bengals a better team, but he doesn't know what's going to happen. Hendrickson was an All-Pro selection last season after he led the league with 17 1/2 sacks. He did make an appearance during an offseason workout last month specifically to speak to reporters and vent his frustrations. Hendrickson is looking for a long-term contract with a significant chunk of guaranteed money, and he said the Bengals were just offering a short-term deal. 'I can't control the narratives,' Hendrickson said at the time. 'That is one thing I found through this whole process. The way I feel is not being conveyed. I definitely am disappointed, I love Cincinnati. It's this weird dilemma. Players go through it a lot more often. I am just not going to let fear overtake me to do something and also give me a platform to glorify God in the good and in the bad. I am very blessed. The perspectives I can't control. I'm a football player. I'm itching to play football.' First-round pick Shemar Stewart, also expected to start at defensive end, hasn't signed his rookie deal yet and did not practice. Stewart has been in attendance for workouts and practices, but he still hasn't done a single drill. He has made a point to sit out for the past two months. Stewart said that he won't practice until he signs. 'I'm 100 percent right,' Stewart said. 'I'm not asking for nothing y'all have never done before. But in y'all case, y'all just want to win arguments (more) than winning more games.' While Burrow did answer some questions about Hendrickson, most of his availability was on his offseason practices. Burrow, who is going into his sixth season, feels as if he is closer to playing at the level he was before suffering a right wrist injury in 2023. Even with Burrow playing at a level he felt like was less than 100%, he led the league in passing yards (4,918) and touchdowns (43) last season. Burrow underwent surgery on his right wrist in November 2023, to repair a torn ligament. The surgery was deemed successful. He missed the last seven games of the 2023 season because of the injury. 'Getting there. Learning new things every single day and refining my motion and what I'm doing out there. It's exciting to feel that improvement,' he said. 'We'll get three good days together before we go off and grind on our own.' ___ AP NFL:
