In the lead-up to the 2024 Paris Olympics, the spotlight should rightfully be on the extraordinary athleticism of athletes and the exciting additions to the games, such as breakdancing. However, gold medalist Simone Biles has found herself at the center of attention for reasons unrelated to her sporting prowess.
Biles, a Paris 2024 contender, recently took to social media to defend her husband, NFL player Jonathan Owens, against critics following comments he made in 2023. The couple, who met on the celebrity dating app Raya in 2020 and got engaged in 2022, has faced public scrutiny over remarks Owens made about their relationship.
During an appearance on the podcast “The Pivot” in December 2023, Owens described himself as “the catch” in the relationship and admitted to initially being unaware of Biles’ celebrity status. His comments sparked backlash from fans of Biles, who perceived them as derogatory. However, Biles clarified in an interview on the Call Her Daddy podcast that Owens’ remarks had been misinterpreted and were not meant to be disparaging.
“He said he was a catch because he is,” Biles asserted, emphasizing her admiration for her husband. She also addressed the negativity directed towards Owens, expressing her dismay at the disrespect shown towards him and affirming his character as “the sweetest guy.”
To further address the controversy, Biles posted a TikTok video responding to common criticisms of Owens, playfully silencing detractors and urging them to mind their own business. However, her tone shifted on Instagram, where she issued a stern message to those disrespecting her relationship, warning that she would block anyone continuing to criticize her husband.
Despite the social media turmoil, Biles expressed gratitude to those who support her and Owens, hoping to put an end to the ordeal. With the focus now back on the Paris Olympics and the anticipation surrounding the inclusion of breakdancing as a new sport, it’s time to shift attention away from the drama and towards celebrating athletic achievement on the world stage.