“Being able to be a part of winning this gold medal… it’s just been an amazing experience,” Jordan Chiles said, reflecting on her triumph at the Paris Olympics. Chiles, who secured a team gold by contributing scores on all four apparatuses, having previously won a silver in Tokyo. Her successful comeback was driven by advanced training and determination. Now, as she returns to UCLA to complete her collegiate career, she faces the challenge of balancing elite gymnastics with college life.

Chiles’ decision comes as Suni Lee’s struggles at Auburn highlight the pressures involved. After her Olympic success, Lee encountered several difficulties that overshadowed her time at Auburn University. Chiles’ path underscores the complexities of managing a top gymnastics career while navigating collegiate demands.

Suni Lee’s post-Tokyo Olympics struggle reflects Jordan Chiles’ UCLA decision 

On August 23, 2024, Chiles shared her journey post-Paris Olympics in a YouTube podcast named ‘Way Up With Angela Yee’. She outrightly said, “I’ve known for a while. I actually decided after the Championship, so I would say around June or May. I talked to my coaches and said, ‘Look, I think it’d be really cool to go back to school. I have two more years; let’s just see how everything turns out.” without any hesitation. Through her statement, it is clear that she has a straightforward goal in her life, and Jordan wants to continue her study along with her passion.

She continued, “But I also have goals for myself, and I just want to accomplish those within my college career. Then I was like, ‘Okay, let’s do this. Let’s just go for it.” Her words reflect her determination to achieve personal goals that extend beyond gymnastics. Jordan has recognized the importance of fulfilling all her aspirations, so she wants to take the chance. Reflecting on her new fame at the Paris Olympics, she revealed how this 23-year-old top performer wants to keep it regular. Putting her medals aside, she just wants to lead a normal life. She expressed her desire: “They’re going to be on you in college. How are you going to go to class?”

Jordan Chiles said, “People are going to be like, ‘I’m sitting next to Geor!'” Despite this, she added, “Everybody keeps telling me that I’m not going to be a normal person going into college, but for me, I feel like I want to be a normal college student.” But the question comes here: will it be possible? Knowing her camaraderie and Suni Lee’s horrible experience at Auburn University, it remains a question. Like Jordan, she also wanted to start academics as an ordinary woman. But this ‘star performer’ herself called her struggle at Auburn University a ‘scary’ phase. In one of her interviews, Sunisa Lee candidly shared how challenging it is for a gold medal winner to cope at university.

She said her teammates at the university did not support her at all. “I just really felt like an outcast, almost. They didn’t treat me that well. I just knew that I couldn’t trust them.” Not only this, but they also used to film her everywhere, from the classroom to the cafeteria. However, Jordan’s experience may not be the same as she is already a student at UCLA University. So, she must have friends there. Therefore, she plans to shake off all the recognition she has gained and start fresh. The young athlete is clear about what she will do, as she continued, “I appreciate everybody telling me congrats and all that, but I don’t consider myself famous. So in my head, I’m like, ‘I’m just going to walk on campus and be perfectly fine.”

But, as things have changed now, Jordan does not know whether everyone will welcome her the same way as they used to in college. But she even confirmed that she won’t leave her medals; she will take them wherever she goes. Will this decision put her in the same situation that Lee encountered in college? Time will tell. 

Suni Lee’s current status and Jordan Chiles’ post-Paris Olympics future

After the dark era of her life, Suni Lee has now dealt with all the professional and personal hardships. Despite initial challenges at Auburn University, Lee is still an influential figure in the sport. After struggling with severe kidney disease, she returned and showed her prowess in the gymnastics arena. With three Olympic medals under her belt from Paris, she had a grand welcome in her hometown. Having preserved, Lee’s three medals added to her six total medals in her career at the Olympic games.

Reflecting on her win, she said, “All the medals mean something super special to me,” expressing her gratitude. Her experience in Paris is extraordinary, and now she is getting some rest and enjoying her time with her family. On the other hand, Jordan Chiles is now in an uptick stage, and she again wants to kickstart her academic journey. Her choice to stay at UCLA speaks volumes about her dedication to balancing the world of elite gymnastics and collegiate experiences. The decisions of both athletes illustrate the rigors of gymnastics, with Lee’s comeback home and Chiles’ college plans continuing to mark their journeys.

Fans do not know whether her decision will change as she returned to university before the medal controversy. After that, she was devastated and said, “I have no words.” We don’t know whether this turning point could impact her decision. While Suni is in a stable condition now, Jordan’s situation is miserable. With a heavy heart, if Jordan goes to UCLA, she may get into a worse situation than Suni. Who knows? But fans are highly anticipating what steps and awards they will cover next.