The Chicago Bears are extending a generous gesture to Simone Biles by granting her husband, safety Jonathan Owens, a brief leave from training camp so he can attend the Paris Olympics and cheer her on. Biles revealed on Sunday that the Bears have allowed Owens to take a few days off from camp specifically to be present during her competitions. This opportunity holds special significance for the couple, as Owens, whom Biles has been with since 2020 and married last year, has not been able to attend her major international competitions until now.
The couple faced restrictions during the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 due to stringent COVID regulations that prevented family and friends from attending. Similarly, the 2023 world championships, held from September 30 to October 8, overlapped with the NFL season, making it challenging for Owens to accompany Biles. However, this summer, Owens managed to attend all her meets as they did not conflict with the NFL schedule. Nonetheless, both Biles and Owens were hopeful that an arrangement could be made with the Bears to allow him to support her in Paris.
Biles, along with the U.S. women’s team, will be competing in the qualifying round on July 28, followed by the team final on July 30. Of particular importance is the women’s all-around final on August 1, where Biles is expected to be a top contender for the gold medal.
The timing of Owens’ leave coincides with the Bears’ training camp opening on July 23, just three days before the Paris Olympics’ Opening Ceremony. Moreover, the Bears are scheduled to play in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio, on August 1. Despite their demanding schedules, Biles emphasized the significance of their mutual support, highlighting how rare it is for their commitments to align in such a way that allows them to be present for each other.
Leave a Reply