Simone Biles was noticeably absent from the Olympics opening ceremony Friday, and according to her mom, she had good reason.
Ronald and Nellie Biles quickly explained their daughter’s absence from the events on the Seine during an interview with NBC News’ Hoda Kotb and Snoop Dogg.
“The first competition is Sunday, which is women’s qualifier, and so … of course, she needs to rest up before that competition,” Nellie Biles said.
Athletes who participated in the opening ceremony were anticipated to be on their feet for over nine hours on Friday, so gymnasts competing on Sunday were discouraged from attending the festivities.
Because of this, Biles’ teammates Suni Lee, Hezly Rivera, Jordan Chiles and Jade Carey were also missing from the event.
But according to Nellie, Biles is more than ready to compete.
“I spoke to her this morning, and she’s doing great,” Nellie said. “She’s just in a really good place.”
Her mother also revealed that 17 family members made the trek to Paris to support Biles in her third appearance at the Summer Olympics, including her husband Jonathan Owens.
“I can’t wait to be able to support her,” Owens said Thursday.
Owens, who was criticized for his previous comments surrounding his marriage to Biles, was given an exemption to miss Chicago Bears practice for the games.
But now he’s changed his tune.
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“How did I get so lucky?” Owens said. “That this is my wife and I get to see someone that’s literally at the pinnacle at her sport and I get to call this my wife. It’s amazing. There’s no words to really describe, just blessed.”
Biles is looking to take home gold this Olympics, following chatter online and specifically an article that said she “choked” at her last Olympics.
Biles, 27, said derisively that the writer was “sitting on your couch watching me from home. OK.”
“I really don’t need your two cents,” the gymnast continued. “And not your two cents because you guys can’t even do a cartwheel.”