Olympics

Jonathan Owens' day job won't keep him from watching Simone Biles in her return to the Olympics ... the gymnastics star revealed Sunday the Bears are giving her husband time off to see her in France.

Owens had been slated to report for Chicago training camp on July 19 ... and then play in the team's Hall of Fame Game against the Texans on Aug. 1. But, with Biles officially qualifying for the Paris games at the U.S. Olympic Trials over the weekend, the gymnast told USA TODAY those plans are likely to change.

"The Bears are actually granting him a couple days off from training camp, so he'll be there, yes," Biles said. "For just a short little time."

Team USA stars Suni Lee and Caeleb Dressel are going for gold in style ... rocking Kim Kardashian's SKIMS line ahead of the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics in Paris.

The big athletes threw on the brand's most recent collaboration with the Red, White and Blue for a photoshoot ahead of this summer's competition ... showing off their athletic figures in the process.

Of course, SKIMS and Team USA have been partners for a while now ... working together for the Tokyo and Beijing games as well.

Paris protesters are ready for a defecation demonstration ... claiming they're going to poop in the famed Seine to prove just how disgusting it is!

Social media users are talking online about a large-scale plan to defecate in the river after France's President Emmanuel Macron and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo claimed it was safe enough to swim in.

Here's the deal ... a couple months ago water charity Surfrider Foundation Europe claimed it had tested the water in the Seine multiple times over the course of six months from September 2023 to March 2024 and claims they found a shocking amount of bacteria in the water.

It's been a great week for U.S. swimmer Lilly King -- the soon-to-be 3x Olympian is looking to add more medals to her trophy case -- and now she's got a big, ol' shiny diamond ring ... after her boyfriend proposed to her poolside at the Olympic trials!

(She said YES!)

The wholesome moment went down on Day 6 of the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials in Indianapolis on Thursday. Shortly after qualifying in the 200-meter breaststroke (the second Olympic race she qualified for), King was greeted outside the pool by her now fiancé, then-boyfriend, James Wells.

History was made once again in Indianapolis ... as a record-setting crowd was on hand Wednesday night to watch the U.S. Olympic Team Trials -- which included a big night from swimming superstar Katie Ledecky!!

The organization announced the massive, 22,209-fan turnout at Lucas Oil Stadium ... which edged out the previous attendance record set on the first day of the event -- 20,689 spectators.

Those fans had the privilege of watching the GOAT of women's swimming do her thing. The 27-year-old dominated, per usual ... crushing her competition in the 1500-meter swim. Katie finished with a time of 15:37.35 ... and second place finished 20 seconds later!!

Simone Biles is pulling back the curtains on the personal struggles she experienced during the 2020 Olympics ... sharing footage of herself breaking down in tears as she discussed her mental health as part of an upcoming documentary.

Netflix just dropped a trailer ahead of the four-part project's release ... sharing scenes of Biles' life with husband Jonathan Owens, her desire to return to competition, and her training leading up to the Paris Games.

While there is much excitement for Biles' return to the Olympics, the show will also focus on one of her biggest stories -- her withdrawal from competing for gold to address her mental health.

Jackson James Rice, an up-and-coming kite foil racing star, tragically passed away this weekend just weeks before his debut in the 2024 Olympics. He was only 18.

Rice's father, Darren, confirmed his son died on Saturday during a free diving accident in Faleloa, Tonga. It's believed JJ suffered a shallow water blackout.

JJ's father said other divers found his body around 12:15 PM on the seafloor ... under the boat. They tried to resuscitate him but he passed away.

Transgender swimmer Lia Thomas had no chance to win a legal challenge that would have opened the door for a potential Olympics bid -- and she should instead compete against other trans swimmers ... so says a former Team USA gold medalist.

Decorated swimmer Donna De Varona, who won two golds at the 1964 Summer Olympics, joined us on "TMZ Live" Thursday, and we asked her about Lia's failed bid to overturn rules preventing transgender women from competing against biological women at the Olympics.

Donna says Lia was never going to get the ban overturned because she didn't get a U.S. Aquatics membership card, which DDV says prevented Lia's challenge from having any standing from the get-go.

Michael Phelps' historic run at the 2008 Beijing Olympics is one of the most memorable athletic performances ever -- and now a one-of-a-kind set of 8 oil paintings, done by a famed artist, and signed by the immortal swimmer, is up for sale ... but it's gonna cost ya!

TMZ Sports has learned the "Golden Eight" collection, created by renowned artist Brian Fox -- known for his ability to capture celebs and athletes -- is being shopped for $2 MILLION!!!

Each of the eight exquisite pieces, commissioned by owner Todd Patkin in '08, was inspired by a moment from the Games ... and all have been signed by Phelps.

Team USA selection committee chair Jen Rizzotti is addressing the outrage over leaving Caitlin Clark off the Olympics roster ... saying it simply came down to putting together the best possible squad -- not the most popular.

Many considered the 2024 WNBA No. 1 overall pick's omission from competing in Paris a snub ... or at least called it a bad move, as Clark's presence in the sport has attracted a ton of new fans who could tune in to the Summer Games to watch the superstar in action.

Rizzotti defended the team on Tuesday ... and specifically spoke about Clark.

Usain Bolt -- the fastest man to ever walk the planet -- ruptured his Achilles during a charity soccer match on Sunday.

The injury happened at the 2024 Soccer Aid for UNICEF match at Stamford Bridge in London, a yearly charity game that raises money for children in need worldwide.

The retired Jamaican sprinter, a captain in the game, was playing center-back for the Soccer Aid World XI team ... and during their match against England, Usain went down after attempting to play defense.

Caitlin Clark's addressing the snub heard round the world ... getting candid about missing out on the Olympics after she was shockingly left off the roster.

The first-round pick addressed all the hubbub Sunday ... and, she says she's totally cool with the choice -- expressing her excitement for the players who did make the team.

Clark said, in part, "I know it’s the most competitive team in the world and I know it could’ve gone either way, me being on the team or me not being on the team. I’m excited for them, gonna be rooting them on to win gold."

Caitlin Clark will not be a part of the Team USA squad that goes for a record 8th-straight gold medal at the Summer Olympics in Paris, and basketball fans are puzzled by the move!

According to multiple reports, 22-year-old Clark, the most famous female hooper in the world, was not named to the 12-player squad ... which will represent America in France next month.

An official announcement has not yet been made, but the team is made up of a mix of veterans and first-time Olympians. But, no Clark.

WNBA star Cameron Brink couldn't contain her emotions when she found out she's representing the United States at the 2024 Olympics ... breaking down in tears during the big reveal.

USA 3x3 basketball announced the four women who would compete for a gold medal this summer in Paris ... with Brink, Cierra Burdick, Hailey Van Lith and Rhyne Howard getting the nod.

The organization shared a special video of the moment the Los Angeles Sparks hooper found out she made the team ... and grab a box of tissues, 'cause it'll have you in your feels.

The home of the Indianapolis Colts has transformed into a massive swimming facility ahead of next week's Olympic team trials ... but Caeleb Dressel or Katie Ledecky weren't the first to break in the new tank -- it was none other than the NFL team's mascot, Blue!!

The beloved horse documented the christening on social media ... showing him prancing around with enthusiasm before jumping right into the newly built pool on Wednesday.

It's an exciting time in Indy -- the place that usually hosts Anthony Richardson and Co. has been going through quite the makeover for the past month ... with the stadium turning into the world's biggest swimming arena to host the trials on June 15-23.