After her up-and-down performance at the Tokyo Olympics, fans questioned whether they’d ever see Simone Biles take center stage in international competition again.
But if it’s up to seven-time Olympic medalist, a trip to Paris in 2024 would be on the docket.
Biles, 26, announced her intentions to compete for a spot on Team USA for next summer’s Olympic Games during an appearance on the TODAY Show Thursday, confirming what many had hoped to hear about her future plans.
“Right now I would say that’s the path that I would love to go,” Biles said, when asked by TODAY host Hoda Kotb if she should be placing a bet on whether or not Biles was seeking a spot on her third Olympic team. “So I wouldn’t mind if you [placed your bet] in the ‘yea’ section.”
EXCLUSIVE: Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) reveals to @hodakotb that the Paris 2024 Olympics is the path she would “love to go.” #Paris2024 @NBCOlympics pic.twitter.com/E1Gg1IhUoL
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) September 7, 2023
Of course, Biles would still have to qualify for the U.S. women’s gymnastics team before booking any sort of travel abroad next summer. But if her recent performance is any indication, the 19-time world champion will be well-positioned to claim one of Team USA’s five spots for the Paris Games.
Just three weeks after her long-awaited return to competition, Biles added to her already-historic résumé by winning a record eighth national all-around title at the U.S. Gymnastics Championships. She also became the oldest American women to win the all-around event, showing that she’s not slowing down, despite being at the apex of the sport for over a decade.
Next on the schedule for Biles will be an appearance at the 2023 World Championships, set to begin in Belgium on Oct. 1.
Given her well-documented bout with the “twisties” at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021—a Games which still saw her leave with a silver medal in the team competition and a bronze in the individual balance beam event—Biles will surely be looking to bounce back in Paris.
Though her spot in the annals of gymnastics history is already secure, making the U.S. team would be a tremendous accomplishment, even though Biles will certainly have her sights set even higher.
