Simone Biles Snubbed While BFF Jordan Chiles and Others Make It to Ebony’s Top 100 List

On the 79th anniversary of Ebony, the magazine has listed 100 “Transformative leaders” across the realms of sports entertainment, business, and culture. However, among the Black standouts making it to the list, Jordan Chiles remains one. Almost 80 days after her memorable performance at the Bercy Arena, the gymnast has made her place in the Leaders in Sports category. However, Simone Biles, the leader of the women’s gymnastics team at the Paris Olympics, wasn’t featured in Ebony’s annual Power 100 list. A drawback after a successful season? No one knows. But the achievement has filled Chiles’s heart with joy. 

On October 22, Chiles shared the news on X, thanking the magazine for the recognition. In the caption, she wrote, “I’m grateful for this platform that is not only of the culture, but for the culture! Thank you, EBONY, for celebrating how WE show up and for truly moving Black forward.” Notably, on August 5 this year, Chiles set a milestone in the Olympics as a Black gymnast. In the avenue, she found Simone Biles alongside her. 

On August 5, Jordan claimed the bronze medal in the women’s floor final at the Paris Olympics. The feat was evoked to be spectacular, being the first individual Olympic medal for the gymnast. However, Biles snagged the silver medal in the event, whereas Rebeca Andrade claimed the gold. The event ended with a lot of drama as her coaches challenged the initial decision of the judges. Per the initial score, Chiles took the fifth position. However, the judges accepted the mistake and brought a change in the final standing. 

As per the final scores, Jordan claimed third place, while Romanian gymnast Ana Maria Barbosu was pushed to fourth. That finally gave birth to the all-Black podium at the event. For the first time in Olympic gymnastics history, three Black women stood on the podium that day. Not only that, the American duo did something to make the moment more magical. On the podium, they bowed to Rebeca, promoting the sportsmanship and the sisterhood between the gymnasts. The behavior was marked to be special as Michele Obama, the former US first lady, clapped at it. But in the following weeks, things didn’t go accordingly. 

The Romanian Gymnastics Federation submitted an official challenge questioning the process followed in deciding Chiles winner. As a result, the Court of Arbitration for Sport took the matter seriously and upheld RGF’s argument. Result? Jordan Chiles had to lose her bronze medal to Ana Maria Barbosu. Thus, the all-Black podium faced a tremendous blow, but the US Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and USA Gymnastics (USAG) vowed to continue to fight CAS’s decision. The situation is still in the doldrums. But Chiles has never lost hope on this rocky road. 

Initially, the effect shook her. But in the meantime, the Oregon native managed herself and decided to continue her fight. Meanwhile, she paid her gratitude to Simone Biles for the role she had played for her BFF. Since the beginning, the most decorated gymnast has been with Jordan, supporting and motivating her. 

Simone Biles earns her stature as the rock behind Jordan Chiles 

In Ebony’s Power 100 list, Simone Biles has not found a place this time. But in 2016, she made it to the list after her phenomenal stint at the Rio Olympics. In the Brazilian capital, she snagged four gold medals, the most by any female gymnast in a single Olympics. In 2020, she again cut into the list, owning 30 medals from the Olympic and World Championships. An enviable possession for any athlete! At the same time, those featuring acted as motivation for Chiles. 

Since 2018, both Chiles and Simone Biles have been sharing a close bond. It was the time when Jordan left her old gymnastics abode to join the World Champions Centre. In fact, the invitation came from Simone, who had felt disappointed watching Chiles’s suffering. And it continues. According to Chiles, Simone has brought fresh air for her in gymnastics. Previously, she used to count it as a sport in chains. She ultimately said, “I actually realized this when I saw Simone compete. She looks like she’s having fun out there, laughing and giggling, and doesn’t look stressed or tired. I was like, ‘You know, I’m going to try that one of these days and see how it turns out.’”

Now riding on that fresh vibe, Jordan Chiles has achieved something that once found a place in Simone’s book. Is it the time to fill in her BFF’s shoes? What do you think about it?