“Stripped away from me,” Jordan Chiles said when she had to hand over her medal to Romanian gymnast Ana Barbosu. Since then, the controversy has only thickened. From the gruelling process of appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to facing relentless criticism, name it and the gymnast has been through it all. Yet, Chiles has remained unshaken. Her perfect 10s in NCAA gymnastics and managing her name in the top 10 is proof of her determination and resilience on the gymnastics mat. Though she hasn’t forgotten the medal, in the wake of the controversy, UCLA coach Janelle McDonald has stepped forward to defend and call her inspiration.

Jordan Chiles is no stranger to adversity, but the Olympic bronze medal controversy has tested her resilience like never before. Many athletes might crumble under such scrutiny; however, she is not one of them; on the contrary, she only lifts herself up and treats her adversities as launching pads to ever greater glory. Her flawless performances on the mat this NCAA season and determination have earned her the admiration of Janelle McDonald, who only had the best things to say about the 23-year-old.

“I can’t say enough about the unique person that she is to be able to handle everything on her plate and be able to handle it with so much excellence.”, said McDonald, per a Los Angeles Times report. The real ones know this is as true as it gets, while dealing with the loss of the Olympic bronze medal and the ensuing legal scuffle, she continued to shock the world with her phenomenal performances, earning two perfect 10s this NCAA season. What’s more, just when you had thought Chiles couldn’t get more amazing, she surprised the world with her heartfelt memoir, chronicling the ups and downs of her life. Moreover, she is the glue that holds the team together. Even with the weight of controversy on her shoulders, Chiles remains the heart of her team, embodying grace under pressure.

What makes Chiles’ story even more inspiring is her support for those around her; she not only fights for herself but also always shows up for her teammates. As McDonald put it, “It inspires me every single day. She cares so much about the team that throughout it all, she’s figuring out a way to be 100% connected and show up for the team each and every day.” Whether on the Olympic stage or in the NCAA arena, Chiles continues to set the bar incredibly high, even when she is struggling with some of the worst times of her life, such as the loss of a prized medal she had worked incredibly hard for.

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Jordan Chiles thought she had secured the bronze medal—only to have it ripped away in a shocking turn of events. Chiles was on the podium; she had already donned the medal, but little did she know, this happiness and pride was meant to be anything but long lasting. Due to a scoring review debacle, Chiles shot up to the third spot from the fifth and then slipped to the fifth position again in an episode that was one emotional rollercoaster. The result? The medal was handed to Romanian gymnast Ana Barbosu, leaving the 23-year-old stunned and heartbroken. Though the case was appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in hopes of reclaiming, it was too late. And the medal, which gave her immense happiness, was given to another.

But while the controversy raged on, she refused to let it define her. Instead, she turned the setback into fuel, dominating the NCAA gymnastics, and proving that no medal—won or lost—can measure her true greatness.

Jordan Chiles is still going strong and showcasing her resilience

Jordan Chiles continues to defy the odds, showcasing her resilience and exceptional talent in the NCAA gymnastics arena. Despite the controversy at the Paris Olympics, the UCLA champion gathered herself back and solidified her position as a top collegiate gymnast. In fact, with such tough rules, she managed to earn a perfect 10! Yep, that’s correct, and not only once but twice.

The first perfect 10 came around in January 2025 in the uneven bars event at the UCLA Bruins vs Maryland competition. What truly sets Chiles apart is the second perfect 10 she achieved in February at the UCLA and Michigan State showdown in the floor event. In an NCAA season where perfect 10s are a rarity, the Oregon native managed to land the score with remarkable ease! But it’s not only Jordan Chiles; the entire UCLA team is shining bright and has their eyes set on greatness. As per Road To Nationals, as on the 10th week, the team occupies the 4th spot in the national rankings with a score of 197.600!

This achievement underscores the team’s commitment to excellence and relentless pursuit of gymnastics supremacy. In the first week, the team was in the 12th position, and has since only been steadfast on their path to NCAA glory. Such consistency speaks volumes about the program’s strength and the athletes’ dedication. Around week 7, the team was actually in the 2nd position! Though Chiles’ UCLA slipped to third and fourth positions, it goes without saying that with talented gymnasts like Jordan Chiles, Brooklyn Moors, Chae Campbell and others, the Bruins will thrive.

As the season progresses, all eyes are on UCLA to see how they will leverage this momentum. With leaders like none other, the team is setting the bar high. At the rate they are going, the Bruins are poised to significantly impact the upcoming NCAA championships.