Gymnast Simone Biles is set to compete in the Olympics again, and her husband, Jonathan Owens, has been granted permission by the Chicago Bears to attend and watch her perform live at the biggest event in Paris.
Biles secured her spot in the Paris games by winning at the U.S. Olympic Trials recently. She shared with USA TODAY’s Nancy Armour that the Bears have allowed Owens to take a brief break from training camp to join her.
“The Bears are giving him a few days off from training camp, so he’ll be there, yes,” Biles said. “Just for a short while.”
Biles and Owens, who have been together since 2020 and married last year, are currently building a home near Houston. This will be Owens’ first opportunity to attend the Olympics in person, as strict COVID-19 restrictions prevented spectators at the Tokyo Games in 2021.
Owens, who recently signed a two-year contract with the Bears after playing for the Green Bay Packers and Houston Texans, will be excused from training camp from July 29 to August 3 to support Biles in Paris. The Bears’ veterans are reporting for training camp on July 19, with the team participating in the Hall of Fame Game against the Texans on August 1.
The U.S. women’s gymnastics team begins their Olympic competition with the qualifying round on July 28, followed by the team final on July 30. The women’s all-around final, where Biles is expected to shine, is scheduled for August 1.
Biles expressed her excitement about having Owens’ support, emphasizing how important it is for them to be there for each other despite their busy schedules.
“It’s always special for us to be able to support each other whenever our schedules align,” Biles said.
