After the Paris Olympics, Simone Biles made one thing clear: her next step was rest. The four-time Olympic gold medalist openly spoke about prioritizing herself, a move that’s becoming more common among the sport’s top stars. And now, her greatest rival on the international stage, Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade, has hinted at something of a similar rhythm. Is she going the same way?

Well, Rebeca’s latest revelation didn’t come with a grand announcement, but rather with the steady, measured tone of an athlete who knows her body’s limits. Speaking with FlamengoTV ahead of the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup season, the 2022 World All-Around Champion reminded fans that 2025 isn’t just about chasing medals—it’s about making smart choices. “We have a World Cup this year, which is also important, but it’s a World Cup a little different, because we don’t need to compete with the team,” she explained.

Her words carried the weight of someone balancing legacy with longevity. “I’m already in a phase where I’m taking a little more care of my body,” she said. “We have to talk a lot to see how we’re going to take it. We don’t have a team yet… we need to work. There are a few more months. But it’s a World Cup, right, guys? The World Cup is always really good.” The statement hints at a season that might be less about all-out dominance and more about selective appearances.

That choice also reflects a deeper awareness of the sport’s shifting dynamics. For Rebeca, the World Cup is an opportunity to pass the torch while still keeping her competitive edge. “It’s important for the girls’ experience… younger girls, it’s a generation that’s also renewing itself. That’s a big deal for us,” she noted, underscoring the importance of grooming the next wave of Brazilian talent.

This mindset mirrors a growing movement in gymnastics, where champions are no longer defined solely by the number of titles they chase, but also by how they sustain their craft over time. For Rebeca, it’s not a full goodbye, but it could be the beginning of a scaled-back chapter. Although she is honing her mental and physical well-being in the meantime,  “I’m taking great care of my physical and mental health so I can be the best Rebeca and the best athlete I can be for my team.”

So, as 2025 unfolds, the question isn’t just whether Rebeca will win, it’s how often we’ll see her compete at all. And in a sport where every routine could be a legend’s last, that uncertainty makes each appearance worth savoring.

Simone Biles hits pause after the Paris Olympics.

When the lights dimmed in Paris and the medals were handed out, Simone Biles did something just as important as winning: she stepped away. After another remarkable Olympic campaign, the four-time Olympic gold medalist decided 2024’s closing act would be rest, recovery, and time away from the chalk and beam.

This wasn’t a quiet retreat. Biles embraced her post-Olympics pause with the same energy she brings to competition. Vacations became her stage, beaches, serene getaways, and the occasional splash of luxury, all documented for the world to see. It’s a side of elite athletes that often gets overlooked: the need to recharge mentally and physically after years of relentless training cycles. But what does time off mean for an athlete at her level?

For Biles, it’s about balance. The Paris Games marked yet another high point in a career already overflowing with history-making moments. Choosing to take a break wasn’t just about rest; it was about longevity.

And as the gymnastics calendar moves forward without her immediate presence, one question lingers: When Simone Biles does return, will the pause make her even more unstoppable than before?