When you’re battling your own inner demons, that one voice of support feels like a lifeline, pulling you back from the edge. For Jordan Chiles, that lifeline was Simone Biles, especially when the medal controversy blew up. Chiles wasn’t just tossing around words when she called Simone her “big sister”—Biles proved it, standing by her side when it mattered most. Just recently, Simone came out swinging, backing Chiles and demanding justice for her 2024 Paris Olympics teammate after the ruling that yanked away her medal.

As Jordan Chiles’ friend, teammate, sister, and mentor, Simone Biles knows all too well the crushing blow of having Chiles’ bronze medal revoked. The online backlash and harsh criticism Chiles faced hit hard, and Biles understands this all too well because she’s been in the same boat herself back in 2021. Back then, Biles had the support of two gymnasts who helped her through. Now, it’s her turn to offer that same support, and she did! Most recently, she stood up for Chiles, insisting her outstanding floor routine deserved a bronze if the judges had scored it fairly.

On August 26th, Simone Biles shared her support for Jordan Chiles in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE magazine while discussing her haircare partnership with K18. But at the same time, Biles revealed she has been in frequent contact with Chiles amid the ongoing controversy. The situation began when Chiles won a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, only to have the medal stripped due to a dispute over a late appeal.

Biles revealed how she has been a reliable ally for Chiles since the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled in favor of Romanian gymnast Ana Barbosa on August 10, challenging Chiles’ floor routine score from the Paris Games.

Biles shared, “We’ve been FaceTiming, texting, just being girls.” She added, “I did talk to her on one of the days, and I was like, “You know what, Jordan, you have to feel all these feels. Don’t let these emotions stop you. This will be the healthiest way to get all of this out.” Having navigated her own challenges in the sport, Biles remains a strong advocate for her teammates.

She has voiced concerns about the fairness of the procedures that led to the ruling and is seeking justice for Jordan Chiles. “We want that justice for Jordan and why we’re going to keep supporting her and uplifting her.” At that time, Jordan Chiles took a break from social media. However, Biles’ advice proved helpful to Chiles as she reemerged online.

As Biles puts it, “I know she’s not on social media, but some of the funny things I’ve seen, I said, ‘Okay, Jordan, can I send you something that I think you would really like right now?’ And so I’ve sent her little things. One of them was these four or five girls guarding a medal, which I thought was the cutest. Then I sent her Flavor Flav’s bronze [medal he made for her], and also LeBron’s tweet.”

But was it just this much controversy? Not at all!

Jordan was crushed when they stripped her of her bronze medal, but the hate didn’t stop there. Even when she had the medal, she faced a lot of online negativity—similar to what Biles has gone through.

After Romania’s Ana Barbosu was promoted to third place, Chiles expressed her frustration: “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,” adding that the racially driven attacks she faced were “wrong and extremely hurtful.” Well, online racists targeted Chiles with vile comments, including racial slurs and dehumanizing images.

“The racist disgusting comments are still happening in 2024,” Chiles’s mother, Gina Chiles, posted. “I’m tired of people who say it no longer exists. My daughter is a highly decorated Olympian with the biggest heart and a level of sportsmanship that is unmatched…and she’s being called disgusting things.”

Adding to the scrutiny, Jordan’s sister Jazmin pointed out, “They have officially, five days later, stripped her of one of her medals—not because she didn’t win, not because she was doping, not because she stepped out of bounds, but because the judges failed to give her difficulty points and forced an inquiry to be made.” This highlights the ongoing reality of racial bias in sports and the disproportionate scrutiny faced by Black athletes. Yet, amidst the negativity, Simone Biles stood by Jordan Chiles, offering support just as she had once faced similar challenges herself.

The backlash against Simone Biles and the silver linings of support

During the Tokyo Olympics, Simone Biles faced intense criticism after deciding to withdraw from two gymnastics events to prioritize her mental and physical health. Biles, who revealed she was experiencing the “twisties.” But she was met with harsh judgment from some quarters for this. One critic tweeted, “childish national embarrassment, Simone Biles.”

Another commentator described Biles as “weak” and a “shame to the country,” asserting, “We are raising a generation of weak people like Simone Biles,” and even labeled her “quitter of the year.” But amidst all of them, there were few who supported her, especially two Olympic gymnasts who advised her as a sister and mentor, like Simone now does for Jordan.

Laurie Hernandez emphasized the profound impact of mental blocks on performance: “Your brain will like stutter step for half a second, and that’s enough to throw off the whole skill.” She underscored the importance of mental health, adding about Simone Biles, “She’s human, and it’s okay to struggle. It’s okay to be open. And it’s okay to ask for help. I hope people understand that mental health is so important.”

Similarly, former Team USA gymnast Aly Raisman also supported Biles. Raisman highlighted, “Think about how much pressure has been on her, and there’s only so much that someone can take.” She further remarked, “She’s human, and I think sometimes people forget that, and Simone, just like everyone else, is doing the best that she can.”

Raisman also reflected on the mental toll of the scrutiny, saying, “I also am just thinking about the mental impact that this has to have on Simone. It’s just so much pressure, and I’ve been watching how much pressure has been on her in the months leading up to the Games, and it’s just devastating. I feel horrible.”

Raisman also expressed support, stating, “I’m proud of her because she’s speaking up and using her voice. She is making sure she is making the best decision for herself. This is so much bigger than gymnastics.” Since then, Simone Biles has been racking up gold medals, with her most recent victory being her third. Even with the age difference—Simone at 27 and Jordan Chiles at 23—their bond is like that of mentor and protege, with Simone stepping into the big sister role. This supportive connection might just be why Jordan has reignited her passion for gymnastics.

Jordan recently posted a photo from the WCC World Champions Centre, where she’s been training since 2017, signaling the start of a fresh chapter in her career. Plus, she’s still set to join Simone Biles on the Gold Over America Tour—also known as the GOAT Tour. The tour will hit 30 cities between September and November. Just thirteen hours ago, she shared a story on Instagram, hinting that she’s having a great time—perhaps at a concert. It looks like “that girl” is definitely back!

With more Olympic dreams on the horizon, we’re eager to see what’s next for Jordan and wish her all the luck in the world as she takes on new challenges!

Before you go, catch this exclusive scoop from EssentiallySports’ Think Tank.

We’ve got insider details as Maddisen Skinner’s coach spills the beans on the secrets behind him!