Biles said she will be in Los Angeles in 2028, but “I just don’t know right now if it’s on the floor or in the stands.”
LOS ANGELES — Simone Biles hasn’t ruled out competing at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, telling fans in Buenos Aires she remains uncertain about her future but will attend the Games in some capacity.
“I’m not sure what 2028 looks like,” Biles said while being honored by Buenos Aires Mayor Jorge Macri during a recent visit to Argentina. “I just don’t know right now if it’s on the floor or in the stands. But I definitely want to go and be a part of that movement.”
Biles was in Argentina participating in events celebrating Buenos Aires’ designation as the 2027 World Capital of Sport. She delivered a motivational speech titled “The Power of Believing” at Buenos Aires City Hall and attended a clinic at Villa Soldati Olympic Park with her former coach Laurent Landi.
The 28-year-old gymnast, who has won 11 Olympic medals, including three gold and one silver at the 2024 Paris Olympics, emphasized the importance of balancing physical and mental health before making any decision about competing again.
“Currently, I am taking some time off from the gym because I think it’s really important that your physical health matches your mental health,” Biles said. “That’s why you saw so much of my success in Paris, because the mental and the physical were right on par.”
If Biles competes in Los Angeles, she would be 31 years old, making her the oldest U.S. Olympic gymnast in decades.
Biles’ recent comments represent a shift from her earlier statements about returning to competition, previously suggesting another Olympic run would be excessive.
“I’m at a point in my career where I’m humble enough to know when to be done,” she told Sports Illustrated in 2024 after being named SI’s Sportsperson of the Year.
At 27, Biles became the oldest U.S. Olympic gymnast in 72 years when she competed in Paris, transcending age barriers in a sport known for brief careers and early retirements. Her performance in Paris marked a remarkable comeback after withdrawing from most of her events at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics due to the “twisties,” a dangerous phenomenon where gymnasts lose their sense of spatial awareness mid-air.
In Paris, Biles made history by becoming the first American to win the Olympic all-around gold medal more than once. She also became the most decorated U.S. gymnast in Olympic history, surpassing Shannon Miller’s seven-medal haul. Including world championships, Biles now has 41 Olympic and world medals combined, the most of any gymnast.
During the Paris Games, Biles said her therapist had been seeing her remotely to ensure she remained mentally well despite the time change and pressure of competition.
The 2028 Games will mark the first Summer Olympics in the United States since Atlanta in 1996. The Los Angeles Olympics will be held at venues across Southern California. The gymnastics competition is expected to take place at venues yet to be finalized.