Simone Biles demands Olympics change after winning 10th medal – ‘Got to stop’ | Other | Sport

Simone Biles has called on journalists and interviwers to stop asking Olympians for their future plans after winning medals at the Games. There has been plenty of speculation about the future of the gymnast, who has hinted at stepping away from the sport aged 27.

Biles is the most decorated gymnast in history and has wowed with some of her routines in Paris. Each of her three gold medals have been won with relative ease, such was the impressive nature of her performances.

But the American athlete has grown frustrated over questions being asked of herself and her fellow competitors in the French capital. She has called on journalists and fans to stop asking what comes next for them after they have won medals at the Olympics.

Biles insists athletes should be allowed to bask in their success before being asked what they will do next. “You guys really gotta stop asking athletes what’s next after they win a medal at the Olympics,” she wrote on X.

In a separate tweet, Biles added: “Let us soak up the moment we’ve worked our whole lives for.”

Before the Paris Olympics, many fans predicted this could be Biles’ last appearance at the Games. She will be 31 by the time the Los Angeles Olympics rolls around in 2028.

Maria Gorokhovskaya is the oldest gymnast to win the all-around title, winning gold at 30 years old in 1952 for the Soviet Union.

Biles will thrive off the opportunity to make more history in her sport, though. She has not ruled out competing in four years’ time.

“Never say never,” Biles said. “Next Olympics are at home. So you just never know. I am getting really old.”

Biles won gold in the women’s vault on Friday. Earlier in the first week in Paris, she received gold medals as part of the women’s artistic team event, and won the same medal for herself in the individual competition.

The Ohio-born star has 10 medals at the Olympics and has responded brilliantly to an uncharacteristically frustrating time at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Unlike other members of her Team USA gymnastics colleagues, Biles still has opportunities to increase her medal haul over the coming days.

She could end up leaving Paris with as many as five gold medals. Biles will compete in the balance beam and floor exercise finals on Monday.