Even Olympians can get a dose of airport security drama. Gabby Thomas, fresh off her triple-gold haul at the Paris Olympics, found that her golden glow didn’t exactly fast-track her through the airport. As she navigated security, the agents were intrigued by her exceptional boxes and asked about them. Gabby’s reply? “Just my gold medals.” While the audience at Jimmy Kimmel Live and home might’ve gotten a laugh, Gabby was probably just hoping her flight didn’t get delayed. Jordan Chiles, on the other hand, had her own run-in with security—stateside.

On the YouTube podcast ‘Chicks in the Office,’ she recounted the stares her medal-packed luggage attracted. “Every time I go through security, I’m just like, Oh my gosh like they going to think there’s these big humongous I don’t know what they’re going to think something’s wrong with my bag,” Jordan said. Her solution? A simple toss to dodge any more confusion.

A revelation can be the best way to defuse airport security drama, and Jordan Chiles has mastered it. When faced with questions about her luggage, she opens it up to reveal her medals, and the reaction is often unexpected. Security officials can’t resist the allure and end up feeling compelled to touch the glittery trophies.

As Jordan puts it, “The security people are like ‘oh my gosh, this is so cool.’ I’m like, you know what, it is pretty cool that I have those with me.” It’s clear that these medals are more than just keepsakes for Jordan; they’re symbols of her triumphs. Three years ago in Tokyo, Jordan had to step up when Simone Biles withdrew from the team event due to mental vertigo, or ‘twisties’. With the pressure on Team USA to defend their title, Jordan’s performance was crucial in securing a silver medal.

In Paris, Jordan Chiles, alongside Simone Biles, showcased her true mettle. The 23-year-old demonstrated that she’s far from meek, embracing the pressure head-on. As she puts it, “That girl” in her is always ready to rise to the challenge. The result? A well-deserved team gold. However, her bronze medal in the floor exercise event sparked quite a bit of heat and controversy, adding another layer to her remarkable Olympic journey.

Jordan Chiles’ Paris Olympics medal continues to evoke debate 

Jordan Chiles’ bronze medal controversy is now approaching its 30-day mark, yet the drama continues to stir up discussions. After a ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), Romanian gymnast Ana Barbosu was awarded the bronze medal, bumping Jordan off the leaderboard. Despite this, Jordan hasn’t returned her medal, a decision that’s stirred up quite a bit of heat. But is it a strategic move on her part? It certainly could be.

The next steps lie with the Romanian Gymnastics Federation (RGF), which must work with other stakeholders—USA Gymnastics, the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee—to resolve the issue. This ruling follows an appeal from the American bodies to the Swiss Tribunal, arguing that all procedures were followed correctly at the Paris Olympics and that CAS overlooked important details. They maintain that Jordan Chiles should retain her third-place position in the floor exercise final and that her scores should be reinstated.

In response, the RGF has called for all “involved parties” to come together and find a respectful resolution. The gymnastics world is eagerly watching to see how this unfolds. Meanwhile, Jordan Chiles remains resolute, confident in keeping her medal close as the situation plays out.