Simone Biles doesn’t just own the title of the most decorated gymnast in history, she’s redefined the sport’s very limits. With 41 combined Olympic and World Championship medals, she’s a living benchmark. Yet, for all her dominance, the past year has seen her step away again, letting a new wave of talent take the stage. The gym feels quieter without her, yet her presence looms large, like a vault waiting for its next champion. So, what’s life like for Simone outside the chalk-dusted arena?
Well, in her absence, names like Hezly Rivera, Skye Blakely, and Joscelyn Roberson have been carving out their own space. They’ve carried the red, white, and blue with grace, scoring podium finishes and signaling a vibrant future for U.S. gymnastics. But even as the sport’s next chapter unfolds, Biles seems completely at peace watching from the sidelines—for now.
When Biles joined the Olympics podcast recently, the host posed the inevitable: “Did it make you miss it at all?” Biles didn’t hesitate. “Not yet,” she said with a laugh. “It’s only been a year. I feel like if you ask me next year, maybe, I’d be like, ‘Oh, I miss that.’”
It was a refreshingly grounded response, especially from someone who has spent over two decades chasing perfection. She explained further: “It’s crazy ’cause I don’t get up every day and think, like, ‘Oh, I wish I could flip.’ And it’s not like, ‘I wish I could,’ or, ‘Oh, man, I don’t want to flip today.’ Because I flipped for 22 years of my life. So, being right side up is kind of nice.”
Final: Artistic gymnastics – Paris 2024 – Floor August 05 2024: Simone Biles United States of America wins silver during floor final on Day 10 of the Olympic Games, Olympische Spiele, Olympia, OS at Bercy Arena, Paris, France. Ulrik Pedersen/CSM. Credit Image: Â Ulrik Pedersen/Cal Media Paris France EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xx ZUMA-20240805_zma_c04_122.jpg UlrikxPedersenx csmphotothree277575
That sense of relief, mingled with humor, is telling. Biles hasn’t turned her back on gymnastics; she’s simply embracing a life where her body clock isn’t set by morning conditioning and evening routines. In that space, she’s explored advocacy work, traveled more freely, and built a home life with NFL safety Jonathan Owens.
Still, the sport she dominated is evolving fast. The competition is heating up, and the next Olympic cycle is already in motion. Which leaves one question lingering: as the spotlight shifts to a new generation, will Simone Biles be content to keep watching “right side up,” or will the siren call of the mat tempt her back into history’s most daring flips?
After Biles, Team USA Gymnastics is holding its ground post-Paris
Well, when Simone Biles stepped away after the Paris Olympics, she left behind more than just a medal count—she left a gap in both performance and presence. The most decorated gymnast in history, with Olympic and World Championship medals, had been the anchor for Team USA for over a decade. Without her, the conversation quickly shifted to one question: could the next generation keep America at the top?
So far, the answer leans toward yes. In the months following Paris, gymnasts like Hezly Rivera, Skye Blakely, and Joscelyn Roberson have stepped into bigger roles. Rivera’s precision on the uneven bars, Blakely’s composure on the balance beam, and Roberson’s power on vault have kept the U.S. competitive on the world stage. At recent international meets, they’ve secured podium finishes and proved that the program’s depth is more than just a safety net.
Credits: IMAGO
Still, replacing Biles’ all-around dominance is no easy feat. Her ability to singlehandedly lift team scores and deliver clutch performances under Olympic pressure remains unmatched. Which makes the road to the next Games both promising and uncertain.
Now the question becomes, can this new core not only maintain America’s standard but also forge its own identity in an era where Simone Biles is watching from the stands instead of leading from the floor?
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