On June 30th, 2024, Jordan Chiles made it into the US Olympics Gymnastics team for the second time. The 2023 Pan American Games team champion finished in third place behind the legendary Simone Biles and Suni Lee at the Olympic trials. While the Tokyo 2020 team silver medalist hopes to upgrade her medal to gold this time around, she has Laurent and Cecile Canqueteau-Landi to thank for her continued success.

Jordan Chiles showcased her talents on the national stage until 2018, becoming the U.S. all-around and vault silver medalist in 2017 and 2018, respectively. However, it was not until she moved to Spring, Texas, in 2019 to train under the coaching of the Landis husband and wife duo that she truly shone on the international stage. So, who are these coaches who guided the Vancouver native to the sport’s grandest stage?

Laurent and Cecile Landi: The iconic duo of gymnastics

Jordan Chiles got into gymnastics because she was naturally drawn to acrobatics as a child. “My parents could not keep me from cartwheeling down the aisle of any open space or walking on my hands instead of my feet,” Chiles explains in the official USA Gymnastics bio. However, it’s a coach who hones an athlete’s talent, and head coach Laurent Landi is helping Chiles showcase her talents at the highest level.

While Laurent Landi acts as Chiles’ head coach, he closely works with fellow coach and wife, Cecile Landi. The Class of 2023 Hall of Fame inductees began their coaching journey in their home country of France. However, before transitioning to coaching, both were gymnasts themselves. Between the two, Cecile gained more recognition as a gymnast, having competed in the 1996 Olympics.

However, the Landis had transitioned to coaching by the early 2000s. It wasn’t until they moved to the United States in 2004 that the coaching duo began their Hall of Fame career. Laurent and Cecile Landi started coaching at the Bart Conner Gymnastics Academy in Oklahoma in 2004, and the following year they tied the knot.

The Landis’ renown grew, prompting their move to Texas to join the renowned World Olympic Gymnastics Academy. Since then, the coaches have collectively trained 11 U.S. Women’s Senior National Team members. Their reputation soared even higher in 2017 when Laurent and Cecile Landi began mentoring Simone Biles. Biles transitioned to training under the husband-wife duo after her longtime coach, Aimee Boorman, relocated to Florida.

In 2017, the coaches also left WOCA to join Biles’ home club the World Champions Centre. Two years later Jordan Chiles joined their team. Her former coach suggested she move to Texas as he had taught her everything he knew. Under head coach Laurent Landi, the UCLA gymnast made it to her first Olympics in Tokyo, earning her first Olympic medal.

Besides the Olympics, Jordan Chiles has also won silver and bronze medals in national and international competitions. She has medaled in events such as the 2021 Winter Cup, 2022 World Championships, 2023 NCAA Championships, and the 2023 Pan American Games, among others. Her success is attributed in part to the synergy she shares with her coaches.

Why Jordan Chiles and the Landis make the perfect match

Throughout her career, Jordan Chiles has trained under different coaches, but the synergy she shares with Laurent and Cecile Landi has significantly contributed to her success. That’s because the new-age coaches take a different approach with their athletes. Besides helping gymnasts shine at the highest level, the Landis have earned a reputation for their positive and athlete-centric methods.

Throughout the history of gymnastics, many coaches have often prioritized accolades over athletes’ mental health. Even legendary coaches like former national team coordinator Marta Karolyi, have faced allegations of mistreatment and verbal ab**e toward athletes. Before starting her training under the Landis Jordan Chiles faced similar abuse under a former coach.

“From being 15 years old now, my mindset had always been Olympics, Olympics, Olympics. It was nonstop. People only saw me as an athlete. I had a coach who verbally ab**ed me and emotionally ab**ed me. There were just a lot of things that she stripped from me… There were a lot of times when I did want to quit.” Jordan Chiles confessed on The Squeeze Podcast in January 2024.

“My self-esteem got to a point where I did not want to be on the earth anymore.” the 23-year-old revealed in a shocking confession. However, Laurent and Cecile Landi’s support has helped Jordan Chiles put those memories behind her. “I want to continue to change the culture of Gymnastics by encouraging others to have fun and enjoy this sport,” says the Olympian’s official bio.

Thankfully, the Olympic silver medalist and her coaches share this philosophy. The Hall of Fame coaches showed that to them their athletes’ wellbeing matters the most when Simone Biles opened up about her mental health challenges during the Tokyo Olympics. While many back home labeled the 7x Olympic medalist as a “quitter,” the Landis stood by their pupil.

Laurent and Cecile Landi have helped gymnasts such as Jordan Chiles and Simone Biles overcome challenges and shine on the world stage. Still in their 40s, the iconic coaching duo have a long career ahead of them.