Simone Biles understands the constant speculation about whether she will compete at another Olympics.
Mostly because the American gymnastics icon is still kind of wondering about the prospect herself.
So much so, there will be times when the question wakes the two-time Olympic all-around champion up in the middle of the night.
“I don’t know what the decision [is) I should make, but I don’t necessarily have to make it just yet,” Biles said.
“But I feel like it’s kind of in the works which way I’m leaning towards.”
After competing at the Rio de Janeiro, Tokyo and Paris Olympics, the lure of performing on the world stage at home in Los Angeles in 2028 is real.
Simone Biles has won seven gold medals across her Olympic career. (Getty Images: Tom Weller)
Olympic teammates Suni Lee, Jordan Chiles and Jade Carey are already pointing toward LA.
So is Katelyn Ohashi, who returned to elite competition in July following a staggering 13-year break from the sport’s top level.
“I know [athletes] are going a lot longer … It’s going to be like a big reunion if I did,” Biles said.
“It would be so much fun. But I still have to weigh the options.”
Biles, who has won seven Olympic gold medals, will be 31 by the time the flame is lit at the Los Angeles opening ceremony in July 2028.
The sacrifices of trying to make a fourth Olympic team would be far different than what she faced in Rio a decade ago.
Biles and her husband, Indianapolis Colts NFL player Jonathan Owens, would like to start a family at some point.
“I am getting to the age of 30 where we start to talk about, ‘What does your reproduction cycle … what’s going on in there? Biles said.
” I think these are major things that are on the table at my age that I have to take in consideration and weigh those options and what that looks like and when we want to start a family.”
Still, the “FOMO”, or fear of missing out, when it comes to LA is only too real.
“Like a home Olympic Games … how could you not?” she said.
“It’s absolutely incredible.”
AP
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