Jordan Chiles is a Paris Olympics hopeful on Team USA’s gymnastics squad. Her odds look good for the podium in the City of Love, as seen by her incredible performance at the 2024 Core Hydration Classic. For Jordan, Paris is more than just another competition—it’s a full-circle moment with her sponsor, Nike, whose iconic Air Jordans by Michael Jordan inspired her name. Fans are eager to see her hard work and talent pay off in her second Olympic appearance. But getting here wasn’t easy.

After her first Olympics in Tokyo, Jordan faced serious thoughts of retirement that cast a shadow over both her NCAA and elite gymnastics careers. Adding to her stress was her building frustration with Michael Jordan’s coveted Nike sneakers. Let’s explore how Jordan navigated challenges with both her passion for shoes and gymnastics simultaneously and discover how she overcame them!

Why was sneakerhead Jordan Chiles frustrated with Michael Jordan’s iconic shoes?

In an interview with College Gym News in 2023, Jordan Chiles shared her love for sneakers, revealing she’s a massive sneakerhead. Her mom, Gina Chiles, also shared a special story about how Michael Jordan and his iconic Jordan 1s inspired Jordan’s name. Naturally, Gina dressed young Jordan in baby and toddler-sized Jordans. Over the years, Jordan had built an impressive collection of about 200 pairs, split between her home and UCLA. She even has a built-in “VIP Lounge” in her closet to display them.

However, sneaker collecting is a competitive hobby that requires waiting for drops and being quick to make purchases. The most competitive drop Jordan tried to get her hands on was the Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG ‘University Blue.’ Despite trying everything from SNKRS to Stock X, she couldn’t get her hands on a pair. “That was the hardest one yet. I still don’t even have them!” shared Jordan. Interestingly, during this time of sneaker woes, Jordan was also going through a tough phase with the UCLA Bruins gymnastics team.

How she faced a rough patch with the UCLA Bruins around the same time

In June 2023, Jordan Chiles and Gina Chiles opened up about how Jordan Chiles faced some tough times after the 2021 Tokyo Olympics with Daily Bruin. Despite a streak of 24 straight hit routines, she fell twice in qualifications, missing out on the all-around finals. Competing for UCLA was supposed to be the cherry on top, but her freshman season didn’t go as planned. The team missed nationals, her consistency wavered, and coach Chris Waller resigned.

Things started to turn around when Janelle McDonald took over as head coach. Jordan still felt like she had unfinished business in elite gymnastics, especially since she had never made a World Championships team. “It just started to kind of nag at her like, ‘Maybe I want to just give that a shot,’” said her mom, Gina. So she did. Along with teammate Jade Carey, she went from elite to NCAA gymnastics and back again.

The girl who once fell out of love with the sport rediscovered her passion. Retirement was on the table, but Jordan wasn’t ready to quit. “She just was like, ‘Yeah, I’m not done yet. I have some unfinished business,’” Gina said. For her, that meant a return to another Olympic cycle. However, despite her success on the elite and doubting a return to UCLA, Jordan was convinced by her elite coaches, Cecile and Laurent Landi, to give it another shot. She set records, won national titles, and helped UCLA reach the NCAA championships for the first time since 2019.

Now, Jordan is gearing up to right the wrongs of the 2020 Olympics and go for gold in Paris. As Jordan aims for the Paris Olympics with Nike as her sponsor, fans eagerly anticipate her incredible journey of growth and legacy, reflecting on the struggles and triumphs in both her favorite worlds. What are your thoughts on this journey of hers? Comment below!