Jordan Chiles got a medal! Yes, it’s true! Well, in the Paris Olympics, her bronze medal was stripped due to a ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Instead of dwelling on that, Jordan keeps her head up and hits the Gold Over America Tour with Simone Biles, Jade Carey, and the crew. She’s all about balancing her mental health and focusing on the future.

Recently, the Boston Celtics shared an update on X, showing Jordan in the post rocking a big gold medal while wearing a Celtics jersey with a big smile on her face. This came after Simone Biles sported a Boston Bruins jersey while Jordan Chiles showcased a Boston Celtics jersey yesterday on 8th October, both celebrating their connection to the city.

Fresh off their Olympic campaigns in Paris, where Biles earned three golds and a silver, the duo aimed to inspire young girls to engage with gymnastics and advocate for mental health. Notably, Biles gifted Chiles a custom-made Boston Celtics jersey. Following 13 successful tour stops, including a performance at TD Garden, the gymnasts dazzled in custom pilot-themed leotards and their respective jerseys.

However, the Celtics also shared other pictures on Instagram, featuring Jordan with her crew, which includes all the GOAT athletes: Simone Biles, Jade Carey, Paul Juda, Brody Malone, Joscelyn Roberson, Shane Wiskus, and Yul Moldauer. In one photo, they all celebrated together, holding the Larry O’Brien Trophy. But you might think, Why the Larry O’Brien Trophy? What is this about?

Well, the Larry O’Brien Trophy is a big deal in the NBA, given to the league champions. Named after the influential commissioner, Larry O’Brien, who helped shape the league, this trophy symbolizes all the hard work and skill that go into winning a championship. Since its debut in 1977, it’s replaced the Walter A. Brown Trophy, with the Portland Trail Blazers being the first to take it home. Well, Jordan Chiles’s connection to the NBA is nothing new.

Jordan Chiles’ resilience amid controversy

Jordan Chiles, the 23-year-old gymnastics star, often talks about how her parents, Gina and Timothy Chiles, have been her rock throughout her athletic journey. Their support has played a huge role in her success. In a 2023 interview with People, Jordan revealed an interesting tidbit: her mom named her after basketball legend Michael Jordan! Gina has been a huge fan of his since she was young, feeling inspired by him. She thought, “Why not name my child after him and see where life takes her?” It’s a sweet reminder of the deep bond between Jordan and her parents, and since then it is Jordan Chiles!

Back before the Olympics, Michael Jordan reached out to Jordan Chiles with a heartfelt message. She shared the text on her Instagram Stories, where the 61-year-old basketball legend expressed how excited he was to see her compete and wished her all the luck in her quest for a gold medal. As he puts it, “Hey Jordan, this is Michael Jordan. I am so excited to watch you win a gold medal. Here’s to wishing you nothing but good luck. Let’s catch up afterwards. Hope to see you soon, MJ.” He even mentioned wanting to catch up after the games, which was such a nice touch and really showed his support for her.

For Jordan, getting a message from Michael Jordan meant a lot more than just encouragement. Since she was named after him, this gesture held special significance. She expressed her disbelief, saying, “I never thought I’d get a text from Michael Jordan,” and she was genuinely grateful for his support. However, she had no way of knowing what was awaiting her in Paris, a situation that sparked an ongoing debate even two months later.

Jordan Chiles had her bronze medal stripped after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled that her scoring inquiry was submitted four seconds too late. Initially awarded a score of 13.766 in the women’s floor exercise final at the Paris Olympics, her medal was revoked after Romanian officials contested the scoring, claiming the challenge was outside the one-minute deadline. Chiles argues that this decision violated her “right to be heard” and raises concerns about a potential conflict of interest involving the CAS panel’s president.

Jordan Chiles opened up about her feelings of deep disappointment, saying, “I have no words. This decision feels unjust and comes as a significant blow, not just to me but to everyone who has championed my journey.” Even with Ana Barbosu being announced as the bronze medalist, Chiles is determined to keep fighting for justice and maintain her integrity as a competitor. Before the public announcement of the decision, she posted a series of broken-heart emojis on her Instagram Story and later shared, “I am taking this time and removing myself from social media for my mental health. Thank you.”

At the Forbes’ Power Women’s Summit, Chiles reflected on the situation, stating, “The biggest thing that was taken from me was the recognition of who I was. Not just my sport, but the person I am.” As she spoke, she became emotional and received a warm round of applause from the audience. Despite everything, she’s focusing on her mental well-being, showing incredible strength as she navigates this tough journey.