Let’s be honest, we all pine for a friendship like the one between Jordan Chiles and Simone Biles . Thus, when one of the biggest disgraces in the history of US gymnastics was uncovered, it came as a no-brainer that Chiles would be there for her BFF. Sometimes, some of the biggest names often have the darkest truths hidden. Larry Nassar is one such name that the US gymnastics fraternity will remember forever. Well, not in admiration but out of pure disgust. In 1986, Nassar joined the USA Gymnastics women’s team medical staff. Things began to take a dark turn when in 2014, an MSU graduate, Amanda Thomashow, accused Nassar of touching her inappropriately. What followed was a full-blown FBI investigation, leading to the most shocking discoveries.

In the most dreaded findings, Nassar was found guilty of sexually harassing female athletes during his tenure at the US Women’s National Team. Currently, Nassar is serving 40-175 years in prison at the United States Penitentiary Coleman II in Florida. The disgraced doctor was charged on seven counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and he was also found possessing child pornography. After the allegations came to the forefront, yet another shocking truth was revealed. The legendary gymnast Simone Biles too, could not escape the nasty grasp of Larry Nassar’s harassment. 

While both Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles were part of the infamous Karolyi Ranch, Chiles luckily wasn’t one of Nassar’s victims. Unfortunately, for Biles, she was one of the 150 female gymnasts that were sexually abused by Nassar. Th UCLA Bruins gymnast reflected upon the horrors in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Chiles stated, “When that whole thing happened, trust me, I was devastated… Still, to this day, I’ve never talked to her about it. I don’t think I ever will talk to her about it because that was her life, and you never know how hard it is on somebody.” Surely, to revisit the darkest times of one’s life is far from easy, especially when the Olympic champion was far from being at fault. But with a friend like Chiles, the Olympic gold medalist could find a sliver of hope during the lowest of all times.

Like a true friend, Jordan Chiles showed up unconditionally for Simone Biles. She quietly lent her unwavering support to the 27-year-old. “I think just having my presence was the best thing that I could give to her, rather than sitting down somewhere and having a whole conversation because that’s very devastating.” The Oregon native also added that if ever there comes a moment where she will have to recall the horrific incident with Biles, she would prefer to cry rather than speak. 

The assault left Simone Biles in a state of trauma. Back in 2019, the GOAT of modern-day gymnastics stated that memories of the abuse would even push her towards suicidal thoughts. Surely, Jordan Chiles went above and beyond to show up for her best friend. Not only Biles, Jordan Chiles has been positively impacting the sport outside of her gymnastics heroics. And she has been aptly acknowledged for the same as well.

Jordan Chiles receives special shoutout from family for reshaping the ground for women in her sport

The Oregon native has undoubtedly risen as an indomitable force in gymnastics. But her impact goes way beyond the medals and routines in gymnastics. She has been reshaping the sport, breaking barriers, and inspiring a new generation. And now, she’s getting the recognition she deserves—straight from her own family. On February 27, her aunt, Celeste D. Chiles, took to Instagram to celebrate Jordan’s groundbreaking journey, sharing a heartfelt tribute alongside a snap of the gymnast’s book, I’m That Girl: Living the Power of My Dreams. Okay, but how appropriate is the title of this book? Jordan Chiles really lives up to it!

In her post, Celeste didn’t just praise Jordan’s achievements. Rather the proud aunt highlighted Chiles’ role in redefining women’s gymnastics. “Thank you for following the lead of the greats that came before you and thank you for creating a new and even greater path for those to come!” she wrote. But the message didn’t stop there. She emphasized Jordan’s influence as a Black woman in the sport. Celeste stated, “You have not only revolutionized the culture of Women’s Gymnastics but you have also made a great contribution to how the world views a Black woman!” The 23-year-old is not just a gymnast, she is a force of nature!

The words perfectly encapsulate Jordan’s journey. She has faced challenges, from early criticism to battling stereotypes, yet she continues to thrive. Whether it’s representing UCLA Bruins with stellar performances or making history on the Olympic stage, she is a trailblazer. As her aunt’s post suggests, Jordan Chiles isn’t just competing—she’s changing the game. And with each routine, she’s proving that gymnastics isn’t just about skill, but it’s also about building a legacy.