Olympic athletes are some of the most impressive people in the world, from their extreme dedication, pristine work ethic, and pushing themselves to incredible feats, these athletes bring viewers joy and pride when they represent their countries. Of course, athletic careers do come with an expiration date, and many athletes retire at ages that are quite young, especially compared with the timeline of retirement for us non-professional athletes and our retirement in later life. So what are some of our favorite Olympic athletes up to now that they’re not training for the Olympic Games anymore?
Tara Lipinski
At the young age of 14 years old, Tara Lipinski made history by becoming the 1997 World Figure Skating Champion. The American prodigy continued her winning streak the following year by securing the Olympic gold medal in the 1998 Olympics. However, her decision to turn professional that same year meant she could no longer participate in competitive events. This move was met with heavy criticism from the media. Lipinski ended her professional career in 2002 and later revealed that she was venturing into sports commentary, launching a successful career in that field.
Tara Lipinski
Simone Biles
Regarded as one of the world’s greatest gymnasts, Biles has amassed an impressive collection of medals, including four golds, making her the most decorated American gymnast. Despite taking a break following her gold-winning performance in Rio 2016, she eventually returned to the sport she loves. While the Tokyo Olympics had to be postponed until 2021 due to the COVID pandemic, Biles came home with two bronze medals and one silver medal. She got engaged to football player Jonathan Owens in February 2022.
Simone Biles