As the dust from the 33rd Olympic Games settles, a new dawn beckons Jordan Chiles. The 23-year-old’s stint in Paris didn’t end on a high note, but she has something to look forward to and make amends. A new season of collegiate gymnastics waits to begin, and the UCLA poster girl is about to jump right in. Naturally, the Washington native is eager to take the opportunity to forget her Olympic fiasco once and for all.

The two-time NCAA gold medalist is a shining name in the country when it comes to dishing out mind-numbing performances on a weekly basis. With that in mind, Chiles knows perfectly how the collegiate scene has a very different type of requirements than the Olympics from the athletes. And now, while the USAG continues its battle against the IOC, Jordan is looking to step into a more relaxed shoe to rekindle her love for the sport.

An article by The Zoe Report from October 17 elaborates how the Olympian is itching to get back to the locker room with the Bruins ladies. The article highlights how Chiles is looking forward to finishing college and getting back into a relaxed setup. During the conversation, Simone Biles’ BFF also noted how the difference in the setting of the NCAA compared to the grandest sporting event of the world helps. “College, it’s more about the fun, it’s more about the team atmosphere,” Chiles states.

“Obviously, it’s not as disciplined [as Olympic training], but you are disciplined in different areas of your life,” she said further, noting how the gymnasts have to fend for themselves in a different way than they have to for the quadrennial event. “Whether it’s with time management, your school, being able to focus on just putting yourself in a different atmosphere,” she underscored how the NCAA offers the athletes a chance to test their own strengths while also providing a very fast-paced environment.

Chiles also said how mingling with colleagues from different backgrounds also functions as a learning experience in college. Referring to the diversity that UCLA offers, she said, “I know a lot of the girls might be a part of the clubs out there, whether it’s a sorority or fraternity, a dance club, cheerleading, or something. So it really is cool to see the difference you make when you’re in that college area.” Luckily, her transition has only been made easier over the past few weeks.

Jordan Chiles seeks to end her rough patch

Only five days after Chiles won her Olympic bronze in women’s floor exercise, she was slammed with a shocking directive by the IOC. Citing her initial inquiry was raised after the specified 1-minute mark, the authorities asked the Bruins star to hand over her medal to Romania’s Ana Barbosu. Understandably, it was a blow to the guts for Chiles and her family. Jordan’s sister Jazmin and mom Gina went after the directive and slammed it as uncalled for. The public outcry was also defeating and Chiles soon took herself away from social media to escape the cacophony. But the people around her and the country’s gymnastics apex body didn’t stop pushing for justice. Even the 7x Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles took to social media to write “JUSTICE FOR JORDAN…ya hear me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” 

However, the last few weeks have been brilliant for the gymnast, thanks to the Gold Over America Tour returning after three years. Along with her national teammates, Chiles has been touring all across the USA bringing the pop-styled show to a younger audience with the goal of getting the sport more exposure. Now, as she waits to make her return to her college campus, will Chiles finally find her peace after the prolonged tumultuous time? Only time will tell.