What next for Team USA's Olympics heroes: Simone Biles is heading to Jonathan Owens' NFL games, Sha'Carri Richardson has a point to prove and will Caeleb Dressel retire?

By Jake Fenner and Alex Raskin and Jake Nisse

Published: | Updated:

For the fourth time in a row, the United States dominated at the Summer Olympics and won the medal table.

This year, it was a bit closer than they may have hoped as Team USA tied with China on gold medals - but won out with more overall medals than any other nation.

This summer in Paris saw American Olympic heroes old and new take to the pool, the mat, the track, and beyond.


With eyes now cast to Los Angeles in 2028, many of these athletes who are at their peak form will have decisions to make on possible returns over the course of the next four years.

DailyMail.com takes a look at some of the more notable names from Team USA and what lies ahead of them. 

Team USA impressed at the Paris Olympics and stood atop the medal table once again

Team USA impressed at the Paris Olympics and stood atop the medal table once again

 

Simone Biles

If Simone Biles decided to compete in Los Angeles, it would defy all previously thought standards of age in gymnastics.

Then again, this is Simone Biles we are talking about. 

At a time where the greatest of all time are competing well-past their pre-conceived 'expiry date' (see: Tom Brady, Lionel Messi, etc.), Biles competing in Los Angeles could break a huge norm for gymnasts when it comes to their age.

But it's not clear if Biles will take part in the Games of the 34th Olympiad and it will likely be some time before we hear an answer.

'Never say never,' Biles said. 'The next Olympics is at home, so you just never know. But I am getting really old.' 

In the meantime, it's possible she'll look to start a family with husband Jonathan Owens, who - according to the gymnast - 'would have had them yesterday if he could have.'

She also has a tour of the United States planned and will likely spend some down time watching Owens compete in the NFL on Sundays. 

These could very well have been Simone Biles' last Olympics if we go by gymnastics age standards, but she has left the door open to a possible return to the mat for Los Angeles

These could very well have been Simone Biles' last Olympics if we go by gymnastics age standards, but she has left the door open to a possible return to the mat for Los Angeles

In the meantime, she could start a family with husband and NFL player Jonathan Owens

In the meantime, she could start a family with husband and NFL player Jonathan Owens

 

Noah Lyles

After a somewhat underwhelming Olympic games that ended with 'only' one gold medal in the 100m and a bout of COVID, some may feel that Noah Lyles' grip on the sport has loosened.

He strongly disagrees, telling NBC Insider: 'I've clearly put my stamp down as I'm the 'World's Fastest Man… the titles of the World champion and the Olympic champion for the 100 meters belongs to me. So, for the next four years, you're stuck with me.'

Lyles, who is sponsored by the likes of Adidas, Red Bull and Omega, will continue to try and thrive on the track - and raise the profile of his profession.

'I'm going to try and use my influence as much as possible to push the sport to new heights.'

Noah Lyles is the fastest man in the world after his gold medal in the 100m sprint in Paris

Noah Lyles is the fastest man in the world after his gold medal in the 100m sprint in Paris

Lyles now plans to 'use my influence as much as possible to push the sport to new heights'

Lyles now plans to 'use my influence as much as possible to push the sport to new heights'

 

Katie Ledecky

It's been a predictably exhausting summer for the 14-time Olympic medalist. So after winning gold in the 1500m and 800m freestyle at the Paris Olympics, the 27-year-old has vowed to give herself a break from the pool in late 2024.

'I have no idea how long it's gonna be,' she said, as quoted by Yahoo! Sports. 'I'm sure I'll find my way back to the pool pretty soon.'

Ledecky, who has sponsorship deals with Adidas and swimwear giant TYR, also hopes to compete at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028 when she will be 31. Of course, she still has some time to prepare for that.

'I really just take it year by year at this point,' Ledecky said. 'I really haven't thought much beyond this week, in terms of what my fall is gonna look like, what my next year is gonna look like ... I don't feel like I'm close to being finished in the sport yet.'

And although she hasn't released any information on upcoming public appearances, fans might be able to catch her watching the NHL's New York Islanders – the hockey team owned by her uncle, Jon.

The swimming machine Katie Ledecky continued her dominance in the pool in Paris

The swimming machine Katie Ledecky continued her dominance in the pool in Paris

Ledecky took home gold in the 800m and 1500m freestyle as well as two other medals

Ledecky took home gold in the 800m and 1500m freestyle as well as two other medals

 

Sha'Carri Richardson

Richardson, who missed the Tokyo Games after failing a drug test for marijuana, made her Olympic debut count in Paris as she captured gold in the 4x100 relay and a silver in the 100-meter final.

The Nike athlete has quickly capitalized on that success, as she announced a collaboration on a custom-designed band with 'wearable fitness coach' brand whoop on Thursday.

She - as well as Lyles - will be looking towards the next World Championships too, which will take place in September 2025 in Tokyo.

Sha'Carri Richardson ran for gold after missing out on the Tokyo Olympics through a drug test

Sha'Carri Richardson ran for gold after missing out on the Tokyo Olympics through a drug test

 

Quincy Hall

His come-from-behind victory in the 400m dash inspired the nation and saw the United States take home another gold medal.

Quincy Hall became the first American since LaShawn Merritt in 2008 to take home a victory in the one-lap race.

At age 30 by the time Los Angeles rolls around, he could still be at the top of his game come 2028 and will look to build on his momentum in Tokyo for the 2025 World Championships. 

Quincy Hall's come-from-behind win in the 400m was the first US gold in the event since 2008

Quincy Hall's come-from-behind win in the 400m was the first US gold in the event since 2008

 

Jordan Chiles

Chiles' Olympic games ended with controversy which is still ongoing and could take a while to resolve itself.

The gymnast was awarded the bronze in the floor routine following an appeal on her difficulty score that saw her leap over two Romanian gymnasts into third place.

But after Romania filed a complaint, the IOC has demanded that Chiles hand her third-place medal back - and turn it over to Romanian Ana Barbosu - saying that the USA's appeal came from outside the allowed timeframe.

Team USA rebuffed that claim and plans to fight a ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport all the way to the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland - so any potential handing over of medals may remain on hold for the time being.

Jordan Chiles has a fight on her hands to keep her floor exercise bronze medal

Jordan Chiles has a fight on her hands to keep her floor exercise bronze medal

 

Caeleb Dressel

A hefty decision sits on Caeleb Dressel's shoulders after a disappointing Paris Games that saw him leave with no individual medals.

He was favored in the 50m freestyle and the 100m butterfly, but finished sixth in the former event and didn't even make the final in the latter.

Still, he did leave a gold medalist in the 4x100m freestyle relay and a silver medalist in the 4x100m medley relay.

Like Ledecky, Dressel will be 31 when the Summer Games return to Los Angeles and could still compete for the United States. 

But as he told USA Today, 'I'm gonna take some time off for sure. I haven't been to the beach in a while. That sounds really good.' 

For Caeleb Dressel, the Paris Olympic Games were not as successful as he may have hoped

For Caeleb Dressel, the Paris Olympic Games were not as successful as he may have hoped