Simone Biles is done competing at Paris 2024: “I’ve accomplished way more than in my wildest dreams”

It was the question that lingered ahead of Paris 2024: How would Simone Biles handle the Olympic stage again three years after Tokyo 2020 in 2021?  Just fine, it turned out. In fact, more than fine.  The 27-year-old led the American women back to the team title at the outset of the artistic gymnastics event before she captured a second individual all-around crowd, eight years after her first and gold on vault.

Biles’ third Olympics came to an end on Monday (5 August) with a silver medal on floor, runner-up to an inspired Rebeca Andrade of Brazil, who had pushed Biles to the brink in the all-around.  It marked the completion of one of the greatest bouncebacks in Olympic history – both figuratively and literally.

“I’ve accomplished way more than in my wildest dreams,” Biles told a packed press conference room. “Not just at this Olympics, but in the sport.”  “A couple years ago, I didn’t think I’d be back here at an Olympic Games,” she continued. “So competing and then walking away with four medals… I’m not mad about it. I’m pretty proud of myself.”

Cameras inside Bercy Arena even caught American football great Tom Brady with his hands clasped over his face seemingly in disbelief. Even if it was an opportune snap, the sentiment was certain: Greatness witnessing greatness – and in awe of it, too.

Brady was just one of countless celebrities to show up these Games to see Biles, including Serena Williams, Ariana Grande, Tom Cruise and many, many more.  Biles showed them all – and the rest of the Olympic audience – what gymnastics fans already knew: She was, indeed, back.

Simone Biles: “We came out and did our jobs”

All eyes were on Biles from start to finish, but especially during the first apparatus of the team final, when the Americans started on vault – just as they did in Tokyo three years ago.  Biles was undeterred.  It wasn’t smooth sailing for Simone at every turn. After all, this is elite gymnastics and the Houston native is arguably the greatest to ever step up on the platform. She struggled on the uneven bars during the indvidual final, in third place after two rotations, and Monday she fell midway through her beam routine, an uncharacteristic error that dropped her to a fourth-place finish.

Three more golds – in team, individual all-around and on vault – and that silver on floor, for seven Olympic golds in her career and 11 podiums in total.  Prior to the Games getting underway, the Americans said they wanted these Games to be a “redemption tour.” So, were they?

“Yes, definitely,” Biles confirmed. “I think, personally, Team USA did such an amazing job out there on the gymnastics floor. There’s nothing left. We did our job, you know what I’m saying?”  The uncertainty around Biles’ Olympic future remains, but for the moment, the present is worth reveling.  “Thank you, Paris,” Biles said in conclusion.  And thank you, Simone.