Remember how exciting the 2024 Paris Olympics were? The grandeur, the magic, and athletes from across the world chasing Olympic glory. Nothing could ever beat that. In fact, when Jordan Chiles qualified for her second Summer Games berth, she couldn’t believe it either. But she was excited to be a part of the final five and looked forward to turning heads with their redemption tour in the French capital. And boy, did they triumphantly pull it off! 

In the women’s all-around finals, Team USA successfully clinched an Olympic gold, redeeming themselves from the 2020 Tokyo Games. On the other hand, the 23-year-old had another mission in her mind. After a team all-around silver medal in the Japanese capital, she wanted to add another medal to her collection. While she bagged a bronze in the women’s floor exercise, the Olympian found herself surrounded by controversy. Yet, she still had something exciting to look forward to after her Parisian stint. What’s that, you ask?

Jordan Chiles reflects on UCLA return

Even though the gymnast’s stint in Paris was tumultuous, she is now ready to move on to the next best thing. On December 11, the Olympian spoke to USA TODAY Sports’ Mackenzie Salmon. The host lamented how Paris was so long ago to her but reiterated that this opened the door for Jordan Chiles’ return to collegiate gymnastics. However, Salmon had one question in mind: Was this a hard decision for the 23-year-old? “No, it honestly wasn’t a hard decision,” she admitted. 

The gymnast continued, “You know, ever since I was… even before my first Olympic Games, I always wanted to go, you know, to UCLA and go to college and do college gymnastics because it does give you a different effect.” She reiterated that there was something different about competing in college. Not only did it feel different, but it was a different environment compared to contesting professionally. So, was UCLA always on her mind?

Turns out it was! Jordan Chiles spilled the beans about how her decision came about. “I knew even going into Paris that I was, like, okay after Paris, or even if I don’t make Paris, like I’m still going to go back to school and, you know, enjoy those last two years,” she opined. In fact, after concluding her stint in the French capital, the 23-year-old teased that she might switch out the red, white, and blue to Bruin gold and blue soon. 

The Olympian competed for the UCLA Bruins gymnastics team in 2022 and 2023 and bagged two NCAA titles in the latter for uneven bars and floor exercise. However, she eventually put her studies on hold to focus on training for the 2024 Paris Olympics. She reiterated that she wanted to fulfill her duty by returning to the NCAA circuit and looked forward to the 2025 season. A fan asked her if she looked forward to breaking the NIL record during an Instagram Live session in September. What was the gymnast’s response? She was down for it! But even though she’s ready to compete in Pauley Pavilion, she isn’t too keen on one massive change. 

The 23-year-old is unimpressed by Olympic fame

The final five turned heads in the Bercy Arena after a successful redemption tour. However, the Olympian had quite a tumultuous stint in the French capital. She might have found herself surrounded in a heartbreaking bronze medal controversy, but the gymnast’s NCAA announcement had fans as excited as ever.

As for Jordan Chiles? She isn’t looking forward to being treated differently. The 23-year-old told US Weekly that she wouldn’t want people bowing to her or anything because there was no need for that. In fact, when she was asked if she looked forward to any changes, the Olympian didn’t hold back.

The 23-year-old reiterated that she understands how to separate her normal life from her sports life. She enjoys the normalcy, almost yearning for it, especially after Paris. Even though she will step on the mat in the Bruin colors, this shouldn’t take away from the fact that she’s the same as the rest of her classmates.

Jordan Chiles admitted she wanted to feel like a normal kid during her freshman year on campus. So much so that she kept telling her teammates and her classmates to treat her the same way. Sure, she contested on the world’s biggest stage twice, but that doesn’t change anything in her eyes. The gymnast is focused on getting a degree, just like everyone else. So, according to the gymnast, this should set the pace for how they treat her. Are you excited about the 23-year-old’s much-anticipated return to the NCAA?