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Powerade has enlisted the star power of Olympic gold-winning gymnast Simone Biles to star in a powerful new ad campaign in the run up to the 2024 Paris Games.

Having famously taken a break from the sport to prioritise her mental health which saw her miss out on the Tokyo Games three years ago, Biles opens up on the importance of ‘taking a pause’ and putting wellbeing first.

Developed for the Coca-Cola-owned brand by WPP’s OpenX, ‘Pause is Power’ will run globally ahead of this summer’s Olympic games – sending out an important message to both the pubic and the media that the competing athletes are still very much human.

“Powerade has always been committed to empowering athletes and we are thrilled to be partnering once again with Simone Biles, someone who has been transparent about how taking a pause is not an act of weakness, but rather an act of courage and power,” Coca-Cola president global category hydration, sports, tea and coffee Matrona Filippou said.

“We’re excited to bring this mindset to the Olympic Games and continue supporting athletes in the pursuit of balancing mental and physical fitness.”

As part of the campaign, the sports drink brand will also set up a dedicated ‘Olympic Village experience’, offering athletes mental and physical health support throughout the competition.

After a blast during Simone Biles’ birthday last month, now it’s Jordan Chiles’ turn to be at the center of attention and America’s most decorated gymnast isn’t going to back off from carrying out her best friend duties! When it comes to gymnastics, there are few friendships more to make fans gush than that of Biles and Chiles.

The duo have stayed at each other’s corner through all the ups and downs and they never cease to cheer for their best friend at every possible opportunity. Taking a cue from Michael Jordan who immortalized the No. 23 throughout his legendary NBA career, Biles believes grand things are to shower her best friend with happiness.

As Chiles enters her 24th year on the blue planet, Simone can’t stay away from taking over social media to proclaim her love and admiration for her biggest support system. “happy happy birthday, hope your jordan year is everything you wished for & MORE“, wrote Biles in her latest Instagram story, and claimed that festivities to celebrate Chiles are in order.

Over the years, both Chiles and Simone have made it abundantly clear as to where they stand when it comes to their relationship beyond the sport. When Jordan seemed on the verge of letting go of her gymnastics dreams in 2018, it was Biles who stepped up to inject some more positivity into Chiles’ mentality that saw the latter make her triumphant return. And now, as the two look to meet up to celebrate Jordan’s another rotation around the sun, fans believe some explosive things are in order, especially with the Olympics looming on the horizon.

A long-lasting tryst between the Jordan Chiles and Simone Biles

When Chiles looked confused and had a tough time finding her way during darker times, it was Simone who convinced her to relocate and train alongside her in Texas. The decision proved to be pivotal in Chiles’ professional life, which culminated with a silver medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and numerous other accolades over the years. The bond that was forged in those early years of their lives continues to be the one thing that brings them back together again and again.

Last month, when the world took to social media to wish Simone Biles a happy 28th birthday, Chiles’ heartfelt note stood out as Jordan noted, “Happy birthday to my ride or die, my other half, my best friend, my partner in crime, and my big sis!“. “You always have that one person that can change your whole life. And this my friend is you“, confessed Jordan on numerous occasions, and it looks like Biles is gearing up to honor their friendship one more time!

On Friday night, Jonathan Owens drove around Chicago, exploring the city for the first time in his life. He was in awe of its skyscrapers and bright lights all along the river.

Growing up in St. Louis, playing college football at Missouri Western State University and spending most of his professional career in Houston and Green Bay, Owens had “never been in a downtown like [Chicago] before.” His only stops in Chicago were to play against the Bears — trips that only consisted of traveling from the airport to the hotel to Soldier Field.

“It was sensory overload,” Owens said. “I’m driving and every two buildings I’m like, ‘babe look at this, look at this.’ It was a really good time and we’re excited.”

While Owens was in uncharted territory, he had an expert Chicago tourist with him leading the way — his wife, Simone Biles.

Biles, who grew up in Texas, remembers falling in love with Chicago while frequently traveling to the city for gymnastics meets in high school.

“I’m excited about Chicago because every year we used to come compete here, so it’s taking me back to when I was younger,” Biles told ChicagoBears.com. “We were always in the city. Me and my mom are big shoppers, so we would always go shop, find all the new stores and go to American Girl. So seeing and reminiscing from when I was younger was really fun.”

Owens and Biles spent the weekend together in Chicago to begin acclimating to their new home after Owens signed a two-year contract with the Bears in March.

Along with exploring downtown and discovering new food spots for date nights, Owens and Biles were further welcomed to Chicago when they attended a White Sox game Saturday at Guaranteed Rate Field. Owens was invited to throw the ceremonial first pitch, allowing him to fulfill a lifelong dream.

“I got to throw out the first pitch and that was always something I wanted to do,” Owens said. “Being from St Louis, I thought it would be for the Cardinals. But given this opportunity, I couldn’t turn it down.”

Biles anticipated Owens’ throw would look similar to rapper 50 Cent’s infamous wild first pitch at a Mets game in 2014, but she was pleasantly surprised by his accuracy.

“He kept talking about the side arm,” Biles said. “I really thought he was going to throw a ’50 Cent.’ I was so excited for that. Well, it was actually a 10, so it irritated me how good it was. It was really good. I’m proud of him.”

Since they’ve been together, Owens and Biles have supported each other’s professional sports careers. This spring and summer, Owens plans to attend every major competition Biles will compete in ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, adding: “I’m gonna be in there cheering like it’s a football game.”

In between her own training and competitions, Biles is still focused on showing up for Owens and celebrating special moments with him, like Saturday’s first pitch.

“It has meant the world to be able to support him,” Biles said. “There’s not a lot of time I get to do that because our seasons clash at one point and then it’s [his season] and then it’s [mine]. So it’s actually exciting whenever I get to come out and support [him] because these are memories that you won’t get to do forever. So every time I get to support him, any which way, I’m here.”

While Biles already feels comfortable in Chicago, she has appreciated the outpouring of support since Owens signed with the Bears. She initially showed her love for the city with a series of tweets after Owens made the move during free agency.

Stars have been everywhere this week, from Emma Roberts stylishly taking in some sun at Coachella in California, to married couple Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens enjoying a baseball game in Chicago.

Here, the best photos of celebs out and about this week. Come back tomorrow for more of the latest A-list outings!

Simone Biles and her husband Jonathan Owens record a video on the field before Owens threw out a first pitch before a game at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago on April 13.

Owen Wilson, Tom Hiddleston and Sophia Di Martino attend the Loki season 2 Emmy FYC Event at Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills, California, on April 13.

Sheryl Lee Ralph attends the Precious Gem Award during the 41st Miami Film Festival on April 13.

 

Gymnastics phenom Simone Biles, renowned for her unflinching support for the Houston Astros, has never failed to make headlines. A true Texan through and through, Biles, whose love for the Astros runs deep, has previously demonstrated her allegiance by throwing the first pitch for the team not once but twice—in both 2016 and 2019.

However, with her husband, Jonathan Owens, making his mark in the NFL with the Chicago Bears, Biles seems to be embracing her new home in the Windy City. Making it to the MLB headlines again, the seven-time Olympic medalist swapped her Astros cap for their rival team’s jersey.

Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens’ allegiance shift

The decorated Olympic gymnast, along with her husband, Chicago Bears defensive back Jonathan Owens, recently graced Guaranteed Rate Field to throw out the first pitch at a White Sox game. This MLB matchup was between the Chicago White Sox and the Cincinnati Reds.

The power couple’s recent appearance at Guaranteed Rate Field, where they threw out the first pitch before the game, exemplifies their shared passion for sports and each other. Interestingly, this memorable day at the ballpark coincided with another noteworthy event in the couple’s lives: Simone Biles crossing over 1000+ miles to enjoy a special night with her man.

A love that crosses 1000 miles and beyond

Amidst their hectic schedules, Biles and Owens have prioritized spending quality time together, transcending geographical barriers, and embracing frequent reunions despite the distance between Texas and Chicago. Despite the distance separating their Texas and Chicago residences, Biles recently traversed over 1000 miles for a romantic dinner date with Owens, as shared by him on social media. From cheering on each other at sporting events to sharing tender moments on social media, Biles and Owens continue to set relationship goals for admirers worldwide.

As Biles prepares for her return to the gymnastics floor in May, fans hope that Simone Biles’s cheerleading presence for her man will soon make it to cheer for her in the stadium as she paves her way to Paris in 2024. As Biles prepares to make her return to the gymnastics floor in May, fans eagerly anticipate Owens reciprocating her support by being a cheering presence for her, just as she has been for him, making her journey toward the Paris 2024 Olympics all the more special.

The stars have been out in the last two White Sox games.

On Friday night, former skipper Tony La Russa and 6-time Super Bowl-winning head coach Bill Belichick showed face at Guaranteed Rate Field. And on Saturday, the most decorated Olympic gymnast in history, Simone Biles, and her husband, Bears defensive back Jonathan Owens, threw out the first pitch before the game.

Owens signed a two-year contract worth $4.5 million with the Bears earlier this offseason.

With 30 World Championship medals (23 gold including six all-around titles), Biles is widely considered to be one of the greatest artistic gymnasts of all time. Her seven Olympic medals ties Shannon Miller for the most ever by an American gymnast. The reigning all-around world champion, Biles is gearing up to compete in the upcoming 2024 Olympics in Paris.

While the 2020 Olympic all-around champion and uneven bars bronze medalist, Suni Lee was spotted seeing one of the latest NBA matches lately, her aim to find new goals and getting stronger in her own game does not take a step back. Opening up on the challenges the Olympic Gold Medalist has recently faced, she made a statement to olympics.com about how good she felt to be finally back on the right track.

Contesting for both the US Classics and the 2024 Core Hydration Classic in Hartford in the coming time, Suni Lee is in similar lines with her Olympic senior in gymnastics, Simone Biles. While Simone Biles also has shown her inclination towards the NBA sport lately when she attended the Warriors’ victorious season, she too has had her name on the list of the qualifying gymnasts for the anticipated two Classic events.

Suni Lee who loves the NBA, etches her name to the gymnastics Classics

The Instagram stories of Suni Lee displayed her excitement as she attended the Hawks Vs Wolves NBA game recently. The game that ultimately triumphed the Minnesota Timberwolves by 3 points, scoring a 109 against the Atlanta Hawks, gathered the American artistic gymnast’s attention as she sought the NBA game with huge interest.

While her interest matches that of Simone Biles in terms of her sport of gymnastics and the NBA, both star gymnasts have successfully registered to compete at the 2024 Core Hydration Classic in Hartford, Connecticut on April 12, 2024. Hoping for another line of events namely, the US Classics, on their way after the Core Classics on May 17-18, to the Paris Olympics 2024, the two athletes dream of clinching a world title in the much-awaited grandiose Summer Games.

The Paris Olympic ride for the two Olympians

After adjusting to the kidney-related health concerns in the past 12 months, the 2020 Tokyo gold medalist Suni Lee has set her sights the Olympic medal as the Paris Games are a few months away. “I’ve been back in the gym every single day, eight hours a day, and it’s been going pretty well. I’m in remission right now, so I’ve just been getting it under control and starting to work up into routines and getting ready for the season”, the gymnast told Olympics.com in an exclusive interview after debuting at the Winter Cup on February 24, in Louisville, Kentucky.

Simone Biles on the other hand, after debuting her 2024 Olympic season in May’s Classics will look at the Paris Olympics. Though her seven Olympic gymnastics medals are ninth-most of all time, the American gymnast chose to harbor neutral feelings as she also expressed the importance of her Paris campaign. “If I don’t make it to Paris, it won’t absolutely crush me,” she had shared earlier.

In a mere month, Simone Biles is set to debut in the 2024 gymnastics season and embark on her fourth Olympic quest. This news comes as Biles’ recent registration for the 2024 Core Hydration Classic from May 17–18, 2024, has gone viral. This return to the pinnacle stage comes after a tumultuous “Twisties” episode at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, where Biles withdrew from both the team final and women’s all-around events.

Despite these daunting challenges, her 2023 season witnessed a remarkable comeback, where she became the most decorated gymnast in history. As she journeys towards the Paris Olympics, an emotional ad featuring Biles by Powerade has resonated deeply, even bringing tears to her childhood best friend.

Simone Biles’ powerful journey since the Toyoko Olympics

In a heartfelt Instagram post from the World Champions Centre, an emotional ad featuring Simone and POWERADE was revealed. The video depicts Simone running towards the vault amid intense media scrutiny post-Tokyo withdrawal. With a reflective voiceover, Biles shares her journey, intertwined with flashes from her life, from enjoying pizza to cherished memories with her parents, and scenes like cutting her wedding cake with husband Jonathan Owens.

The visual also includes heartwarming moments with her fur babies, Rambo and Lilo, and shared meals with childhood friends, among others. As the video narrates her growth from childhood to adulthood, Simone affirms, “I still have to dig deep down and remember why I’m doing it. I’m doing it for the little girl.

It concludes with a touching moment at WCC, where her coaches, Cecile and Laurent Landi, lift her from a foam pit. Simone returns to practice her vault again, symbolically skipping over a Powerade bottle, while a young girl at her gym looks at her in admiration, showing a full-circle moment. As we reflect on the powerful imagery portrayed, fans online embraced the video wholeheartedly, evoking heartfelt emotions, particularly Simone’s childhood best friend, who was moved to tears.

How her childhood friend was left in tears

In the comment section of the posts, countless fans and friends shared how deeply the video resonated with them. Among them was Simone Biles’s childhood best friend Rachel Roettger, who wrote, “WHY AM I SOBBING.” Rachel has remained a steadfast source of support and encouragement for Simone since their days at Bannon’s Gymnastics at age six. Their enduring connection, symbolized by Rachel’s role as Simone’s bridesmaid, has stood the test of time.

Even Jordan Chiles’ mother expressed her admiration, saying, “Not gonna lie…this was absolutely 🔥.” Reflecting on the ad, it becomes clear that Simone Biles’ return to the 2024 Olympics marks a profound full-circle moment from the challenges of Tokyo, leaving fans eagerly anticipating her path to Paris this year.

Simone Biles is celebrated not solely for her victories but also for her resilience in the face of adversity. Her openness about grappling with the “twisties,” a mental obstacle in gymnastics, adds depth to her journey. This highlights that even the most accomplished athletes encounter internal challenges. At the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Simone Biles bravely chose to prioritize her mental health over competition, a decision that made waves globally.

With the Summer Games in Paris on the horizon, Simone Biles takes center stage in a captivating new ad that heralds the launch of Coca-Cola’s sports drink’s Olympic campaign, but the advertisement is more than that, as its motive is something even greater. The gob smacking realities were personally narrated by Biles herself, albeit with some ad level cinematic brilliance.

A momentary Achilles Heel in Simone Biles’ professional sojourn

The advertisement begins with a close-up picture of Simone Biles, her face reflecting the weight of the world as a cacophony of media noise surrounds her. Headlines blur together, with phrases like “Simone Biles, greatest gymnast, says I’m not myself” and “This is the greatest athlete seen ever” bombarding her senses. Yet, amidst the chaos, Biles opens her eyes and takes a deep breath, steeling herself for the challenge ahead.

As the scene transitions to the vault, Biles tunes out the external noise and begins her routine. However, her inner turmoil manifests vividly as she hears her own voice reflecting on her struggles. She witnesses scenes from her personal life unfolding in slow motion while in mid-air. Enveloped in a dreamlike sequence that intertwines pivotal moments from her career and cherished memories of family gatherings, sharing pizza, and playful interactions with her dogs.

Amidst the drivel of media commentary echoing in her mind, phrases like, “When you’re the greatest ever, you want everything you do to be the greatest, and we haven’t seen that from her tonight, Biles confronts her inner demons and intrusive thoughts. She further showed what a true athlete is capable of.

In a moment of self reflection, Simone Biles comes to terms with her identity. She expressed,, “I felt broken. That’s why I decided to take a pause….I had to prove all the haters wrong that I’m not a quitter.” One moment you’re on top of the world, and the next you find yourself gasping for air.” This commercial served as a nudge that in challenging times, there is always a way to push forward. But who was the genius behind this exceptional advertisement?

Powerade is a catalyst for athletes’ mental health

Powerade’s latest campaign, rooted in the “Pause Is Power” platform launched in 2022, emphasizes athletes’ mental health and physical well-being. Inspired by Simone Biles’ courageous decision to prioritize her mental health, the brand aims to challenge the prevailing notion of success in sports culture by highlighting the benefits of intentional pauses. Teaming up with Biles, Powerade showcases the raw emotion and vulnerability behind her journey.

Directed by Emmy Award-winner Kim Gehrig, the commercial resonates with audiences globally, emphasizing the importance of self-care. However, this collaborative effort by various creative agencies underscores the widespread support for mental wellness initiatives in sports. It is embraced by Powerade and its parent company, Coca-Cola. As Biles gears up for the Paris Olympics, it will be interesting to see her performance after her high-notch performance in 2023.

While we can all list a dozen celebrity-athlete power couples off the tops of our heads—Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, Victoria and David Beckham, and Gabrielle Union and Dwayne Wade, to name a few—how many double athlete power couples do you know? Simone Biles—the world-class Olympian gymnast, who truly needs no introduction, and her husband, NFL safety Jonathan Owens, have been making headlines since they got together in 2020. The two have been lauded as one of the most envied athlete couples in the game, both for their sweet relationship and their athletic abilities alike.

Not only are the pair extraordinarily talented, but they also seem to be a perfect couple. “This was a match made in heaven,” Owens told Texas Monthly in an interview. “There’s no better person for me. She loves me, she’s so affectionate. I just love that. And it’s just intoxicating seeing how much work she puts into everything.”

The couple consistently show up for each other, supporting one another in their athletic endeavors, whether they’re attending NFL games or standing in the crowd at gymnastics events, and through social media posts, seem to be each other’s biggest fans.

Like many young couples these days, Simone Biles and her husband met on Raya, a private dating app known to be a favorite of high-profile figures and celebrities, in 2020. The pair have cited the pandemic as a driving force behind their relationship, saying that the global shutdown allowed them time to get to know each other. Fast forward two years later, the couple got engaged, and in April 2023, the athlete power couple exchanged vows at a gorgeous beachside wedding ceremony in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.