The world was treated once again to a spectacular showing out of Simone Biles at the 2024 Olympics.
The American gymnastic star added four more medals to her impressive Olympic career, including three golds, during her successful tenure in Paris. She became the first female gymnast to win two all-around gold medals since Czechoslovakia's Vera Caslavska in 1968, dazzling in the two events, and adding a gold in the individual vault.
"This time around was really special," Biles said about the 2024 Olympics . "It’s worth it because, I mean, we’re here in Paris, just won a couple medals, and it’s super exciting. You work your whole entire life for moments like this to represent your country on an Olympic stage, and we did just that this weekend. So we’re so proud."
It's even more admirable that Biles was able to perform at an elite level despite not operating at 100%. Throughout the competition, it was evident that she was dealing with a lower-body injury.
So it's not a surprise to see that as Biles departs Paris with gold medals in hand, she is also wearing a walking boot. The gymnastics star was spotted at the closing ceremony wearing the boot around her foot.
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Why is Simone Biles wearing a boot?
The closing ceremony was not the first time Biles was stopped sporting a walking boot. After her competition ended earlier in the week, she did multiple interviews with it on.
"Calf is good," Biles said to NBC News on Aug. 5. "It’s just precautionary, making sure, because we still have tour after this to heal up and all of that stuff. So, just a little bit of soreness."
Biles was dealing with a calf injury throughout the competition. She was frequently seen wearing tape around the ankle in Paris, but that did not stop her from dominating the field.
"I feel like elite athletes are pretty tough," Simone said about competing through her injury. "So, we’re just, through pain or pleasure, we’re ready for whatever."
Will Simone Biles be in the next Olympics?
Biles was fairly quiet when asked about the 2028 Olympics during the competition, and remains so with the 2004 Olympics in the rear view.
She was asked about the possibility a few months ahead of the 2024 Olympics in an interview with the Associated Press , however, the gymnast didn't provide much clarity about her decision.
"I would never say never and I think that would be amazing to (do this) after every Olympic cycle," Biles said. "I think that would be a beautiful thing. But right now I can’t tell you yes or no. Like no definitive answers because I don’t know what life will look like in the next few years to come."
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Brazil gymnast Rebeca Andrade, who beat Biles for gold in the floor routine event, told The Washington Post that Biles had "confided that Paris would be her final competition" in a private conversation.
"I said, 'No, girl, don’t do this,'" Andrade said, per The Washington Post.
While she may have told Andrade the truth, Biles has not let on during her appearances about a decision one way or the other. She told USA Today that she would "never say never", but she is getting "really old." Biles echoed that sentiment in her post-Olympics appearance on NBC's "Today"
"You know, you never say never," Biles said when asked about the 2028 Olympics. "The next Olympics is on home turf. I’m just going to relax and see where life takes me."
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