Jordan Chiles will be making her second Olympic appearance in Paris. Her maiden Olympic debut was in Tokyo, where she failed to make a mark. Although Chiles secured a silver medal in the team event, the young gymnast was unhappy with how she fared. Thus, soon after her return, Chiles maximized her effort and enthusiasm in her training. As a result, she was one of the major contributors to Team USA’s World Championship gold in 2022. 

Chiles followed up with her good work in 2023 as she once again won the gold for her team at the Pan American Games. And for the icing on the cake, Chiles performed exceptionally in the recently held US Olympic trials, clinching a third spot with 111.425  points. However, even amidst all the glitz and glamor, Chiles still laments about her failures in Tokyo. 

Jordan Chiles apologized to her mother after Tokyo 

Going pro did not matter to Jordan Chiles before she got selected to the Team USA Tokyo roster. She says she knew there was more to life and wanted to experience college she had always looked forward to. Chiles had even considered quitting elite gymnastics after high school. But she did eventually lead herself to the big stage after moving to Texas to train alongside Simone Biles. However, unfortunately, according to Jordan Chiles, the biggest moment of her career turned out to present her with her biggest downfall.

In a recent interview with BrillianceMode on YouTube, Jordan Chiles reflected on her experience from three years back. 

 “so yeah after qualifications in 2020 I called my mom and I was like Mom this is just you know I failed everybody I don’t know what I’m doing why am I here I shouldn’t have been put on the team like, I went through this downfall within my gymnastics career at the Olympics,” the 23-year-old reveals. 

Jordan Chiles finished third in the all-around with a total of 114.631, behind Biles and Lee at the the 2021 Olympic trials. Her Tokyo results, however, weren’t what she would have desired. She recorded an all-around score of 52.698 and failed to make it to the top 10 in any of the apparatus. Thus, coming back to the States was a stressful experience for Chiles. “Keep in mind that’s the biggest stage you will ever be on in your life… but in that moment, I just felt like I disappointed everyone,” she says.

Jordan returned to UCLA to focus on academics. But she realized wanted to give one thing a try and fortunately, things took off from there for her. She reignited the self-belief and started preparing for the Paris Olympics. 

Jordan Chiles’ remarkable comeback 

After taking a break from gymnastics for about three months, Chiles wanted to explore the World Championships. Since she was the only one in the Tokyo team to have no world experience, Chiles thought it would be great to have one. And this is exactly where it all started to change. Chiles then began to consistently rack up perfect 10s for UCLA and also went viral with one of her floor routines involving 90s hip-hop music. 

As the Olympics approached, Chiles was not devoid of setbacks. She experienced injuries that could have ended her dreams of qualifying for a second straight Olympics. She even doubted trying for the games, afraid of disappointing those around, added on by the loss of close ones at home. But she knew to leave her past demons just there and remember, “it’s time to push path, it’s time to go to the next level.” 

Chiles received immense praise from the gymnastics fraternity after she ground hard and made her way to Paris. Even pop sensation Megan Thee Stallion acknowledged her work and sent her flowers soon after Chiles secured her tickets to Paris. 2024 Jordan is a changed one. Away from the one crying of disappointment years ago, the 23-year-old told the reporters at Olympics.com, that she has proved enough and she wouldn’t be afraid to continue on as her authentic self. 

Thus, narrating a story of grit and determination, Jordan Chiles is once again, expected to achieve great things at the Olympics.