UCLA stand-out Jordan Chiles continues to raise the bar for Black women in gymnastics as she has recently qualified for the 2024 US Olympic team. Chiles had an outstanding performance in Minneapolis at the Olympic Trials. She competed alongside talented gymnasts Suni Lee and Simone Biles. Biles is not only a close friend but a mentor to Chiles.
“She is somebody that I’m always going to look up to no matter what it is in life — whether it’s gymnastics [or] just life in general,” Chiles said to Athlon Sports about her relationship with Biles.
Chiles finished third in the competition behind Biles and Lee. The three will compete together in Paris at the end of July to represent the U.S. in the Olympic games.
Related Stories
Chargers Prepare For New Era in Minicamp
Angel City Triumphs Over Racing Louisville 3-2 on Juneteenth Night
Chiles has been in the sport for a long time and her experience explains why she has not only been successful, but has made it far at a young age. Chiles began her gymnastics career by competing internationally at the 2014 City of Jesolo Trophy, where she won a gold medal with the team and placed second in the vault. She continued her success in 2015 and 2016, winning multiple medals at the U.S. Classic and the U.S. National Championships, and securing a place on the Junior National Team.
Chiles transitioned to senior-level gymnastics in 2017, placing second in the all-around at the U.S. National Championships and serving as an alternate for the World Championships. In 2018, she earned a bronze medal at the Stuttgart World Cup and won team gold at the Pacific Rim Championships, along with individual golds on vault and floor. Despite not making the World Championships team that year, she was recognized for her unique Wonder Woman leotard and remained on the national team. In November 2018, Chiles committed to UCLA, planning to join after the 2020 Olympics.
While At UCLA, Chiles was a key member of the U.S. team that won a silver medal at the 2020 Olympics. In 2023, she became the NCAA champion on the uneven bars and floor exercise, scoring perfect 10s in both events multiple times. Additionally, Chiles was named the WCGA West Region Gymnast of the Year and earned the title of College Gym News Sportswoman of the Year.
Chiles has been a nine-time All-American and a member of the U.S. National Team scoring eight perfect 10s in her collegiate career, showcasing her exceptional talent and consistency in gymnastics.
Being selected as a member of the Olympic team was surreal for Chiles, she expressed to the Seattle Times.
“Hearing my name called, that was just like an awe-ing moment for me, because you never know what can happen,” she said. “Right now my biggest thing is I’m just so proud of myself, after everything I’ve gone through, the struggles I’ve gone through, the losses that I’ve lost in the past year, and I couldn’t be more proud of myself.”
