Hold onto your hats, folks—it’s Olympic season, and things are heating up! And amid this excitement loomed a revamped Jordan Chiles, armed with her new mantra, ‘I’m That Girl’. Remember her splendid performance at the 2020 Olympics? She’s back again and ready to conquer Paris this summer, managing a hectic but positively charged pace towards the Games! Well, that side of her was visible. Back in May 2024, during Core Hydration, when everyone was tense, she enjoyed the moment. As she believes, “I always like to have fun and enjoy the moments with the audience and my teammates.” Hmm, teammates? When your best friend happens to be your teammate, joy becomes obvious.

Chiles’ partner in crime is Simone Biles! Jordan affectionately calls Simone her “little sister,” saying, “I will give her all her flowers, her crown, whatever it needs to be.” Love is definitely in the air between these two. But there’s more to their bond. They’ve been training partners since 2019, when Chiles moved to Spring, Texas, to train at the World Champions Center under coaches Laurent and Cecile Landi. Interestingly, the center is owned by Biles’ parents. Chiles even calls Biles the “bestest friend I’ve ever had in my life.” But is it just a one-sided friendship? Absolutely not!

Simone Biles, the GOAT of gymnastics, is also the GOAT of friendship. After the Tokyo Olympics, Biles showed her affection by gifting Jordan Chiles a necklace with the Olympic rings on it. However, as the Olympic Games approach this season, the pressure is mounting for all athletes. With the U.S. trials starting on June 27, 2024, these two best friends, Chiles and Biles, will face off to secure their spots in Paris. Before that, Chiles dropped a bombshell about the Olympics in an exclusive interview with People.

When discussing the pressure of the Olympics with People, she revealed, “Now, is it a little easier because I’ve had the experience before?” Indeed, Chiles had already solidified itself as one of the strongest contenders for Tokyo early on in 2021. She won a silver medal in her first appearance at the Olympic Games. She further added, “Yeah, I can say because I kind of know the process of what an Olympic year looks like. But I can say it’s still stressful.”

However, that stress wasn’t visible when Chiles took the floor in Fort Worth, where she laughed and joked with her good friend, Biles, who was in her group rotation. But how can Jordan Chiles be so relaxed? Well, there’s a secret behind that!

The Biles-Jordan Chiles duo changed gymnastics forever by showing their human side

The secret behind Jordan Chiles’s motivation, confidence, and fun-loving attitude lies in her own self-affirmation: “I’m Jordan; I’m this cool and amazing spunky girl. I always have fun. I go out there and do everything that I need to do,” Chiles says about keeping it all in perspective, adding, “I think just reminding myself who I am definitely helps when it comes to that.” But do you know it was Biles who made Chiles what she is today?

In 2017, Jordan Chiles found herself in a disheartening slump, despite her silver medal win at the national championships. Feeling empty and disconnected from the sport, she confessed, “I didn’t think the sport wanted me anymore.” Struggling with her coach’s overbearing methods, Chiles faced a decline in her happiness and confidence in gymnastics. However, in 2018, Simone Biles became her hope for Chiles.

When one heartfelt invitation to train at the World Champions Center in Texas came, Biles posed the question, “Why didn’t Chiles just move to Texas to train with Biles at her gym?” This gesture marked a turning point for Chiles. Then she embraced a healthier mindset and shed the strict dietary restrictions of her past; she found renewed purpose under Biles’ mentorship and the guidance of the Landi coaches. Together, they reignited Chiles’ passion for gymnastics. This is how Simone Biles turned Jordan Chiles’ gymnastics career around with just one surprise!