Simone Biles named Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year 2024 (and suggests she is retiring)

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irichluck21

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Major accomplishment for Simone and beat out Caitlyn Clark, which I didn't think was going to happen.

Simone says going to another Olympics would be "greedy".

“Because I’ve accomplished so much, there’s almost nothing left to do, rather than to just be snobby and to try again and for what? I’m at a point in my career where I’m humble enough to know when to be done,” the 7-time Olympic gold medalist said.

“If you go back, you’ll be greedy,” she told the outlet. “Those are the consequences. But that’s also your decision to decide. What sacrifices would be made if I go back now? When you’re younger, it’s like, prom, college. Now it’s like, starting a family, being away from my husband. What’s really worth it?”


We saw the social media posts about RIP Yurchenko Double Pike and the triple double on floor. So these comments just notches her a bit further toward actual retirement.
 
I think it’s a really smart decision. I do not think it’s necessarily that staying in gymnastics would be “greedy.” But there is a real art to knowing when it’s time to quit. She needed redemption in Paris and she got it. It would very likely have been a decline after this. She goes out as the Greatest and can move on with what I am sure will be a wonderful life.
 
Simone would also have to get used to another set of coaches as well. She had the Landis for two quads. With the Landis moving on, it makes sense for her to retire as well.

We shall see. I would have loved her to end her career at home, but she is 27 and it sounds like she wants to become a mother.
 
I totally get it. Nobody would blame her for retiring. She’s accomplished so much. There are a million valid reasons to retire. I’m glad she went out on a high note and on her own terms!

If she does decide to give it another go for LA, that would be cool but definitely a surprise and no doubt a sacrifice for her and her family.
 
exactly

and "a high note" is an understatement
We probably won't know until late 2026. She only skipped 2017 the first time around, but that was a normal quad. She skipped 2022, so she's skipped both post-Olympic Worlds (including 2021 Worlds I guess), but I wouldn't think she'd put her body through three more seasons. Two at most.
 
We probably won't know until late 2026. She only skipped 2017 the first time around, but that was a normal quad. She skipped 2022, so she's skipped both post-Olympic Worlds (including 2021 Worlds I guess), but I wouldn't think she'd put her body through three more seasons. Two at most.
At the earliest. Could be even later.
 
I hope she realizes that coming back wouldn't be greedy, and not being best in the world wouldn't be failure. If she loves the sport and can do it, who cares.

That being said, I actually hope she doesn't come back. I would imagine that with the pressure and expectation she's had to handle, being done would be hugely relieving. Also, coming back for her means regaining the world's hardest skills. That's a high bar she's set for herself, and it probably looks much higher now that she's "vindicated" herself, married, and wants family stability. I don't think it's possible for her to tarnish her athletic reputation, but she has way more to lose than to gain. I'd be thrilled to see her done and at peace.
 

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