When you talk about the greatest athletes in sports, the list cannot be complete without mentioning Simone Biles. With eleven Olympic medals and thirty World Championships, the gymnast has reached the pinnacle of her field. However, following her recent dominance in Paris, speculations have emerged about her possible retirement due to the usually short shelf life of gymnasts. Amid the rumors though, Biles continues to garner the admiration of athletes from other sports as Milwaukee Bucks superstar Khris Middleton recently paid homage to the ‘GOAT’ with a special gift.

In a surprising crossover, Middleton and Biles recently linked up at the Fiserv Forum and the former NBA Champ gifted his Bucks jersey to the gymnast. Sure enough, the gift came with a personalized message for Biles as Middleton wrote on the back side of the jersey, “To the GOAT. Thx 4 being an inspiration to all.” Along with his signature.

Well, if this really is the end of Biles’ historic career, then this might have been the perfect way for Khris to bid adieu to the legend. While Biles is yet to decide her future, she has addressed the retirement rumors in a recent interview, “In gymnastics, the longevity has never ever been there.” Although she is only 27 years old, gymnastics is a brutal and highly competitive sport that requires athletes to be on their A-game all the time.

“I think these last five to six years, we’re really pushing that past our boundaries with the proper training and recovery. So, I do think it’s not unnatural for people to be asking (me) about retirement because this isn’t normal what we’re doing. Now, we’re like, ‘I could go for like eight more years’ or whatever that may be.” She added. As Biles’ comments suggest, there is still a chance we could see her flying high in the future.

Simone Biles has not ruled out the 2028 Olympics as she focuses on her “Physical and Mental health”

Yes, Simone realizes that she is pushing the limit further than those who came before her in the field of gymnastics. However, when asked about participating in the LA Olympics four years from now, she didn’t rule it out, “Never say never. Next Olympics are at home. So, you just never know. I am getting really old.”

Sure enough, she understands the toll it will take on her body, especially when she will be 31 years old by the time the next Olympics arrive. “For gymnastics it’s not like we have an offseason. As soon as we start training, we’re in the for the long haul for those three to four years.” She remarked. But not adding more fuel to the retirement rumors, Biles has her focus clear, “Everyone just wants to know what’s next to be the first to report it, and so, right now, it’s working on my mental and physical health before I make any commitments.” And it will be interesting to see what the future holds for the ‘GOAT’ while Biles continues to inspire America Khris Middleton remarked.