Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens Escape Sports Pressures with Milan Olympic Trip
Simone Biles’ offseason routine starkly contrasts with Jonathan Owens’ game film reviews, yet both athletes face immense pressure in their respective fields. The Chicago Bears safety has joined America’s most decorated gymnast on a European journey, trading playoff analysis for figure skating spectacles at the freezing rinks of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.
From Airport Delays to Olympic Cheers
The trip encountered an early hiccup when Biles posted an Instagram Story from a German airport bar, captioned “Stuck in Germany,” as she and Owens dealt with travel delays en route to Italy. Earlier, she had hinted at the getaway with a packing video tagged “Packing for Italy,” confirming their plans to attend Milano Cortina 2026 as enthusiastic spectators rather than competitors.
Once they moved past the German delay, Biles embraced the Olympic spirit, sharing a selfie with Owens and a caption that read “Go Team USA,” directed at the flag on her jacket. Her attire for the occasion included a blue T-shirt, white pants, and a necklace featuring a goat pendant, subtly acknowledging her “greatest of all time” status in gymnastics.
A Relaxed Vibe Amidst Athletic Intensity
This relaxed look marked a departure from her usual game-day outfits, such as the full Chicago Bears colors she wore during a January wild-card showdown against the Green Bay Packers, complete with Owens’ No. 36 stitched on her coat. Owens, fresh off a demanding NFL season where the Bears won 11 regular-season games and advanced to the divisional round, has earned this well-deserved break.
Now, instead of analyzing blitz packages on the football field, he is observing quadruple jumps and intricate step sequences on the ice. This shift highlights the couple’s ability to find balance between their high-pressure careers and personal downtime.
Biles Connects with Figure Skating’s Olympic Pressure
At the Milano Ice Skating Arena, Biles found herself in a familiar setting of Olympic intensity, but this time as a spectator. She and Owens watched Ilia Malinin, the only skater to land a quadruple Axel in competition, struggle with two falls in his free skate, finishing eighth. Biles stood to applaud, filmed parts of his routine, and shared clips with her followers, showing support for the athletes.
When spotted by the arena host, Biles was featured on the big screen for a brief interview. Asked about the differences between Summer and Winter Games, she humorously noted, “I think the difference is the weather and the temperature. I'm used to hot and this is very cool,” before adding, “So, I wish the athletes the absolute best and to stay chill.”
Parallels Between Gymnastics and Figure Skating
Biles openly acknowledged the overlaps between gymnastics and figure skating, emphasizing the high-stakes nature of both sports. As the only gymnast performing the Yurchenko double pike at an elite level, she relates to Malinin’s mastery of the quad Axel, where a single error can undo years of dedication. She expressed deep respect, stating, “I would never do it on ice, so I give them all the props. I am rooting for them, I'm praying for them and I'm just super excited to cheer for them.”
She also touched on a shared ritual: the “Kiss and Cry” area, where skaters await scores on camera, a practice now adopted in gymnastics. “We're not huge fans of it, but we're so used to it,” Biles admitted, highlighting the universal nerves in elite sports.
A Well-Earned Break from the Spotlight
In the men’s event, Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Shaidorov claimed gold, with Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama winning silver and Shun Sato taking bronze. While Biles and Owens had no influence on the podium outcomes, their presence underscored a broader theme: after enduring a grueling NFL season and three of her own Olympic cycles, Biles finally gets to experience the nerves from the stands, cheering as others attempt to stick their landings.
This trip serves as a poignant reminder of the pressures faced by elite athletes, offering Biles and Owens a chance to reconnect away from the cameras and competition, all while celebrating the spirit of the Olympics in a new setting.
