What If Simone Biles Walked Away Tomorrow? The Shockwave of a Gymnastics Queen’s Exit

Imagine this: the sun rises the day after Paris 2024, and Simone Biles, the undisputed queen of gymnastics, posts a short, almost casual statement on Instagram: “Thank you for everything. I’m done.” No interviews, no tears on national television—just silence after one final Olympic run.

The internet would implode. Headlines would scream, Twitter would trend worldwide, and TikTok would explode with edits of her greatest flips, her iconic “GOAT” leotard, and clips of her struggles with the “twisties.” But beneath the nostalgia, a bigger question would burn: is Simone still the GOAT if she leaves now?

On one side, fans would rally with near-religious devotion. To them, Simone doesn’t need another medal. Her resume is untouchable—seven Olympic medals, 30 World Championship medals, and a cultural influence that transcends gymnastics. She fought for mental health, broke taboos, and stood as a symbol of strength far beyond the sport. For this group, her exit would only seal her legend, much like Michael Jordan’s first retirement or Serena Williams’ farewell to tennis.

But on the other side, critics and “antis” would circle like sharks. They’d argue she left too soon, that her dominance wasn’t tested long enough, that the title of GOAT requires longevity. They’d compare her to Nadia Comăneci, Larisa Latynina, or even younger gymnasts waiting in the wings, whispering: “Was Simone too big for the sport… or did the sport become too small for her?”

Brands would feel the quake too. Nike, Athleta, SK-II, and her countless endorsements would suddenly shift gears. Simone the athlete would retire, but Simone the icon would skyrocket. She could walk into fashion, philanthropy, or even entertainment and still command millions. Think of her as a K-pop star turned solo act—the fandom doesn’t shrink, it mutates. BLINKs scream for Jennie; “Biles Stans” would scream for Simone, no matter the stage.

Yet, lurking in the shadows would be a quieter truth: without gymnastics, Simone Biles would face a new kind of vulnerability. She’d no longer be defined by competition, by scores, by the floor routine that once silenced arenas. Could she thrive in a world where applause isn’t guaranteed, where influence is more fleeting than gold medals?

And maybe that’s the most controversial twist of all. If Simone quit tomorrow, the debate wouldn’t be about her talent—that’s settled. It would be about legacy. Did she walk away as the untouchable GOAT, or did she leave just early enough for history to question her reign?

Because sometimes, the scariest leap isn’t on the balance beam—it’s stepping off it forever.