Following her withdrawal from most events at the Tokyo Olympics due to “Twisties”, Simone Biles made a triumphant return that has only added to her repertoire. Her Tokyo journey sparked global conversations about the importance of prioritizing physical and mental health in elite sports. Following a hiatus of two years and two days, Biles made a comeback in August 2023, clinching her eighth all-around individual national title in a decade.

Subsequently, in October 2023, she secured her sixth individual world title in Antwerp, Belgium. As she now gears up for the Paris Olympics, the gymnastics community speculates on whether Biles would have pursued participation in Paris had the “twisties “episode in Tokyo not occurred.

Was retirement looming for Simone Biles after the Tokyo Olympics?

Simone Biles shattered records and defied expectations throughout her career. Becoming the first African-American woman to clinch the US gymnastics championship at just 16 years old in 2013 marked the beginning of her meteoric rise. Since then, Biles has amassed an astonishing collection of accolades, including seven Olympic medals–four of them gold–from her stellar performance at the Rio Olympics in 2016. When Simone Biles pulled out from the Tokyo Olympics at 24 due to the twisties, since then speculation arose about her retirement.

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Age is a critical factor in gymnastics, where athletes often retire at this age. Had twisties not occurred, Biles, now 27, might not have pursued the Paris Olympics, potentially opting for retirement. Despite uncertainties, Biles’s acknowledgment of the challenges of aging in the sport resonates, prompting discussions about her future and leaving room for speculation, even among Reddit users, about what could have been if the twisties hadn’t intervened.

Insights from Reddit users on Biles’ Olympic trajectory

Amidst the multitude of speculations surrounding Simone Biles’ potential participation in the Paris Olympics, several Reddit user comments stood out for their insightful perspectives. One fan mused, reflecting on the timing and circumstances, “I don’t know tbh. I think if it had been in 2020 and no Covid probably no, but it being 2021 and less than three years away was probably less of a psychological ‘OMG I can’t face another quad’ barrier.” The fan suggested that the presence of Covid-19 in 2020 could have made participation less likely and this was the allusion needed to cement Biles’ possible return.

Another commenter recalled Biles’s pre-Tokyo sentiments about retirement, stating, “She said before Tokyo that she wanted to retire after Tokyo but was considering coming back for Paris in honor of her French coaches.” This observation underscores the significance of personal connections and professional relationships in shaping Biles’ potential Olympic journey.

One user highlighted the challenges Biles faced during the Tokyo quad, “During the Tokyo quad she was dealing with the aftermath of abuse and the usag scandals and wasn’t finding much joy in the sport, but it seems that she was happier after the quad ended. All of this probably made it easier for her to make the comeback she had previously considered.” They speculated that the post-Olympic period brought positive changes, such as new USAG leadership and personal milestones, which may have reignited Biles’ enthusiasm for competition.

In contrast, another commenter hinted at the possibility of retirement had Tokyo unfolded differently, noting, “It wouldn’t have shocked me if she’d retired had Tokyo worked out the way she expected.“. This perspective suggests that Biles may have been inclined to step away from gymnastics had her Tokyo experience aligned with her expectations.

Finally, a concise yet poignant remark encapsulated a prevailing sentiment: “No. It seemed like she wanted to be done after Tokyo.” This observation echoes Biles’s own statements about considering retirement, indicating that regardless of external factors, her desire to conclude her gymnastics career after Tokyo was palpable. In essence, these user comments offer a multifaceted view of the complex considerations and emotional dynamics surrounding Simone Biles’ potential Olympic trajectory.