Simone Biles Hints at Competing in 2028 Olympics Following Vault Victory

Simone Biles, at 27, continues to dominate gymnastics. On Saturday, she secured her seventh Olympic gold in the vault final, showcasing her unmatched talent. When asked if this was her last competition, she hinted at a possible return for the 2028 Los Angeles Games, saying, "Never say never... I am getting really old."

Her performance in Paris was spectacular. Biles wore a sequined red leotard and averaged 15.300 on her two vaults. This victory comes eight years after her first gold in Rio de Janeiro. She has now mastered the Yurchenko double pike vault, which she debuted at the 2023 world championships.

Mastering the Yurchenko Double Pike

The Yurchenko double pike is a complex move requiring a roundoff/back handspring onto the table followed by two backward flips with arms clasped behind knees. Biles has perfected this challenging vault over the past year. Despite making it look easy, it demands both power and control.

During the team final in Tokyo three years ago, Biles experienced "twisties," forcing her to abandon the Amanar vault. This incident left both Biles and her co-coach Laurent Landi feeling "traumatized." They decided not to revisit the Amanar while preparing for Paris.

Overcoming Challenges

Instead of opting for an easier move, Biles chose the more difficult Yurchenko double pike. This decision reflects her need for challenges to stay engaged in the sport. Landi mimicked "calm down" before Biles performed, and she executed it flawlessly, landing with a bounce that slightly crossed the out-of-bounds line.

The judges deducted a tenth of a point for this minor error, but it didn't affect her overall score of 15.700. Her second vault, a Cheng, scored 14.9, securing her gold medal. Rebeca Andrade of Brazil won silver, and American Jade Carey took bronze.

Carey's Redemption

Jade Carey expressed satisfaction with her performance after finishing last in the vault final three years ago due to a trip. "I wanted to prove to myself that I can do two vaults in the final," Carey said. "To walk away with the medal is really special for me."

Biles still has two more events in Paris: balance beam and floor exercise finals on Monday. She currently holds 10 career Olympic medals, tied for third most by a female gymnast. Two more medals would place her second behind Larisa Latynina's 18 medals.

Silencing Critics

Biles's success in Paris has silenced critics who doubted her after Tokyo. "They're really quiet now," she remarked with sarcasm. Her achievements have earned her respect and admiration worldwide.

Ireland's Historic Win

Rhys McClenaghan made history by winning Ireland's first Olympic gymnastics medal in the pommel horse final. He edged out Nariman Kurbanov of Kazakhstan and American Stephen Nedoroscik with a score of 15.533 points.

"I always felt like it was going to happen; I just wasn't sure when," McClenaghan said, fighting back tears after his performance. His victory marks a significant milestone for Irish gymnastics.

Philippines' Second Gold

Carlos Yulo secured the Philippines' second Olympic gold medal ever by winning the men's floor exercise finals. He scored 15.000 points, narrowly beating defending champion Artem Dolgopyat of Israel, who scored 14.966 points.

Jake Jarman of Britain claimed bronze with a score of 14.933 points. Yulo's victory is a proud moment for the Philippines and highlights his exceptional talent in gymnastics.

Biles's journey continues as she aims to add more medals to her collection before returning home to Texas. Her legacy as one of the greatest gymnasts remains unchallenged.