Simone Biles never fails to dazzle the audience whenever she takes to the gymnastics mat, and her recent success in Paris for her third Olympic appearance is no exception. After taking some time off for personal reasons, Biles is back, though this time she’s preparing to captivate audiences with the Gold Over America Tour. The first show of the tour kicks off in Oceanside on September 16. During her visit to the city, Biles sat down with NBC San Diego’s Steve Luke for an exclusive interview.
In their discussion, Luke approached a highly anticipated question that many had been wondering about: “Are you going for 2028?” Biles, 27, was quick to respond, stating that for now, her focus is entirely on the tour, which consists of 30 cities and 32 shows. The tour starts in California and concludes on November 3 in Detroit. While leaving her future plans open-ended, she made it clear that she intends to take things one step at a time.
Biles expressed that her main focus is on the tour for now, and afterward, she intends to take a well-deserved break. Luke continued to press for more details, asking when she might make a decision about the 2028 Olympics. Biles responded, “Everyone is different. We’re getting a little bit older. After Rio, I took about a year off.” Reflecting on her previous experiences, she highlighted the challenges of training seriously after her debut at the Rio Games, where she clinched five Olympic medals.
Following her experience in Tokyo, where she had to withdraw from the all-around team finals due to the ‘twisties’—a mental block that affects gymnasts’ spatial awareness—Biles took an extended two-year break to focus on her mental and physical health. She emphasized the importance of having her team, including coaches Cecile and Laurent, by her side to ensure she was adequately prepared for any return to competition. Despite keeping her decision for the 2028 Games uncertain, Biles reassured that if she chooses to go for it, her team would support her wholeheartedly.
Additionally, Biles discussed how the demands of her personal life might affect her decision. She mentioned that maintaining her relationship with her husband, NFL player Jonathan Owens, involves juggling hectic schedules. While Biles focuses on the tour, Owens is busy with his football season, which requires the couple to manage a long-distance relationship. Nonetheless, Biles promised that a final decision regarding her Olympic future would be made after the tour wraps up.
The conversation took a lighter turn when Steve Luke inquired about what Biles looks forward to post-tour. Biles enthusiastically mentioned that she can’t wait to support her husband at his games and spend time with him in Chicago. During the off-season, she had previously joined Owens at some of his football games, but their schedules have made it challenging to spend time together consistently.
In a recent podcast appearance on “Sippin’ with Screeden,” Owens revealed that the couple might reunite sooner than expected. The tour will stop in Chicago on September 29, and Biles plans to attend the Bears’ game against the Los Angeles Rams. After the game, Owens looks forward to watching Biles perform on tour. Regardless of whether Biles decides to compete in the 2028 Olympics, fans can still enjoy her performances during the ongoing Gold Over America Tour.
The article briefly shifts focus to trending topics related to sports and personal achievements of athletes. Alongside the discussions about Simone Biles and her tour, other topics, including athletes like Caitlin Clark and NASCAR rumors, are mentioned. These trending stories capture the current landscape of sports and entertainment.
Overall, the piece highlights Biles’ current priorities, emphasizing her commitment to the tour while leaving her Olympic future undecided.
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