As the medal ceremony for the women’s floor routine concluded, the air buzzed with an emotional cocktail of triumph and nostalgia. Rebeca Andrade, radiant in her first gold medal victory in Paris, stood at the pinnacle, yet the atmosphere held a bittersweet undertone. The journey, the hype, the heart-stopping tension surrounding Simone Biles’ quest for redemption had reached its poignant finale. With a silver medal around her neck in her final act in Paris, Biles had firmly inscribed her legacy as the Greatest of All Time. But now, as her story closes, her fans are left with a burning question: what’s next for Simone?

Although Biles hasn’t explicitly announced her retirement, the odds of seeing her compete in LA28 seem slim. The answer to this million-dollar question may have slipped out from none other than her closest friend, Jordan Chiles, with a simple, heartfelt whisper. Amidst the flurry of congratulations from fellow gymnasts, Chiles sighed and murmured, “I’m gonna miss you, man.”

Those five words resonated deeply, hinting at a poignant farewell. Chiles’ utterance could imply various scenarios. Perhaps she was alluding to her return to UCLA, where she planned to complete her NCAA duties, as she had mentioned after Team USA’s gold medal win. This decision would mean a significant time apart from her best friend. Another, more somber possibility, is that both Biles and Chiles might be stepping back from the elite gymnastics scene for a while, embarking on a new chapter away from the sport that has defined their lives.

The arena, once electrified with roaring applause and flashing lights, now seemed to hold its breath, absorbing the weight of Chiles’ words. The friendship and camaraderie between Biles and Chiles added a layer of emotional depth to the moment, leaving fans teary-eyed and reflective.

Nonetheless, even if this is Simone Biles’ final dance in the Olympics, she has her bags full. Building up to Paris amidst the ‘Quitter of the Year’ tag, Simone Biles has proved what a true champion looks like. Biles will go back with 3 golds and 1 silver, which in itself is a majestic accomplishment alone. Add to that the motherly love that she has emitted for her teammates in times of distress. When Suni Lee seemed distraught after a fall on the balance beam, Biles was spotted making significant efforts to cheer her up. Another instance of Simone Biles’ leadership instincts was visible when she jumped up in joy as Jordan Chiles won the bronze medal on the floor via a successful inquiry. 

As the spotlight dimmed and the echoes of celebration faded, the legacy of Simone Biles shone ever brighter. The gymnastics queen may have finished her act in Paris, but her influence, her grace, and the indomitable spirit she brought to the sport will forever inspire. And while the future remains unwritten, one thing is certain: Simone Biles’ story, marked by unparalleled excellence and unyielding resilience, will continue to inspire generations to come. And quite rightly, Simone Biles too, looks immensely pleased with how things went down in Paris. 

Simone Biles is finally going to sleep peacefully after an Olympics

While the Olympics and sleeplessness are not exactly connected, for Simone Biles, it has been a nightmare. Coming back from Tokyo amidst the brutal backlash, Biles saw horrid flashbacks of her failed vault at the Olympics. Well, those demons have been put to rest by the GOAT. 

Reflecting on her performance in Paris, a smiling Biles said, “I’ve accomplished way more than my wildest dreams, not just at this Olympics, but in the sport… So I can’t be mad at my performances. A couple years ago, I didn’t think I’d be back here at an Olympic Games, so competing and then walking away with four medals, I’m not mad about it. I’m pretty proud of myself, and it’s always so exciting to compete.”

Simone Biles also indirectly mentioned that she’s done competing with Rebeca Andrade after her gold medal-winning performance in the all-around finals. Thus, whether or not we see Simone Biles perform again, her aura and impact that she has left behind will remain etched in history forever. And while it is up to Biles to call it quits, until then, we must admire, enjoy, and marvel because, after all, she’s ‘Biles by Miles.’