Jordan Chiles is a prominent American artistic gymnast, born on April 15, 2001, in Tualatin, Oregon. From a young age, she showed an innate talent for gymnastics, starting her training at the age of six. Throughout her career, she has been part of several national and international teams, standing out for her consistency and versatility across the four main gymnastics apparatus: vault, uneven bars, balance beam, and floor exercise.
Among her most notable achievements as a junior, Chiles won the bronze medal in the all-around at the 2013 USA Junior National Championships. In 2016, she was part of the U.S. team that won gold at the City of Jesolo Trophy, one of the world’s most prestigious junior tournaments. That same year, she became the all-around champion at the Secret U.S. Classic, solidifying her reputation as a rising star in the sport.
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In 2017, she qualified for the U.S. senior gymnastics team and made her international debut at the American Cup, where she won a silver medal in the all-around. From there, her career continued to soar, competing in key events such as the National Championships and the World Championships, where her contributions were crucial in helping the U.S. team win multiple medals. However, her greatest international achievement came at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where Chiles and the U.S. gymnastics team won the silver medal in the team competition.
Jordan Chiles has been a key player for the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) gymnastics team. In the NCAA, her participation has been crucial in numerous victories, and her performance has been highly valued. Her impact is measured not only by her results but also by her leadership and ability to inspire her teammates.
Beyond gymnastics
Jordan Chiles fame has extended beyond her gymnastics achievements. She is known for her positive attitude and resilience in the face of adversity. In 2018, she went through a difficult period in which she considered retiring from gymnastics due to a loss of passion for the sport. However, her return in 2019, with a renewed love for gymnastics, was a testament to her strong and persevering character. Since then, she has become a public figure admired not only for her athletic skills but also for her ability to overcome challenges.
Outside of gymnastics, Chiles enjoys the world of fashion and entertainment. She has occasionally showcased her talent on social media, connecting with her audience through her warm and approachable personality. She is close to her family and friends and maintains a very close friendship with Simone Biles, who has been a mentor and a source of inspiration for her. Chiles is also interested in using her platform to advocate for social issues such as racial and gender equality.
The controversy of the Paris 2024 Olympics
The most recent and controversial episode in Jordan Chiles’ career occurred at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where she faced a painful and confusing situation regarding the bronze medal in the floor exercise. Initially, Chiles finished fifth in the floor final with a score of 13.666, just behind Romanian gymnasts Ana Barbosu and Sabrina Maneca-Voinea, who scored 13.7 points. However, her personal coach, Cecile Landi, appealed Chiles’ difficulty score, arguing that she had not been given full credit for a tour jeté jump. Upon review, the panel increased Chiles’ score, which placed her ahead of the Romanian gymnasts, allowing her to claim the bronze medal.
However, the Romanian team appealed, arguing that the request for review was submitted too late. Six days after the final, the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) overturned the decision and awarded the bronze medal to Barbosu, moving Chiles back to fifth place. This setback was devastating for Chiles, who expressed the emotional toll of the incident at the Forbes Power Women’s Summit. “The biggest thing they took from me was the recognition of who I am,” she tearfully stated, emphasizing that it wasn’t just about the medal, but about identity and fairness.
Chiles also mentioned that she had suffered racist abuse online as a result of the controversy, which worsened her pain. Despite this, she has received constant support from USA Gymnastics and the U.S. Olympic Committee, who have expressed their intent to appeal the decision to the Swiss Federal Tribunal. Jordan Chiles continues to fight for what she believes is right and has not lost hope that her case will be resolved.
Despite everything that has happened in the past month, one of the most emotional moments of the Paris 2024 Olympics was when the floor exercise podium brought together the gymnasts: Rebeca Andrade (gold), Simone Biles (silver), and Jordan Chiles (bronze, before the reordering). The image of the three gymnasts together, with Biles and Chiles bowing to Andrade in a gesture of respect, went viral and was shared by the International Olympic Committee with the message: “This is everything.”
For Jordan Chiles, this episode has been a lesson in resilience and strength, and although the outcome was not what she expected, her fight for justice and inner peace continues. As she herself said: “It’s not about the medal. It’s about my peace and my justice.”
