Jordan Chiles

Jordan Chiles: From Rising Star to Olympic Champion

🧒 Early Life and Family

Jordan Lucella Elizabeth Chiles was born on April 15, 2001, in Tualatin, Oregon, and raised in Vancouver, Washington. She is the youngest of five children born to Timothy and Gina Chiles. Her nickname, "Chick," was inspired by her resemblance to the cartoon character Chicken Little when wearing her T-ball helmet. 

🤸‍♀️ Introduction to Gymnastics

Jordan's gymnastics journey began at the age of six at Naydenov Gymnastics in Vancouver. Her talent quickly became evident, leading her to compete as a Level 4 gymnast within a year. By 2013, she had joined the U.S. Junior National Team, marking the start of her elite gymnastics career. ​

🏆 Rise to Prominence

In 2017, Jordan finished second in the all-around at the U.S. National Championships, signaling her potential on the national stage. However, after a challenging 2018 season, she contemplated stepping away from the sport. Encouraged by Simone Biles, Jordan relocated to Spring, Texas, in 2019 to train at the World Champions Centre under coaches Laurent and Cecile Landi. ​

🥇 Olympic Success

Tokyo 2020

At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Jordan played a crucial role in Team USA's silver medal win in the women's team competition. Initially slated to compete on vault and floor, she stepped in for Simone Biles on uneven bars and balance beam, delivering strong performances under pressure. ​

Paris 2024

Jordan returned to the Olympics in Paris 2024, contributing to Team USA's gold medal in the women's team event. She also competed in the floor exercise final, initially earning a bronze medal after a successful inquiry into her score. However, the Court of Arbitration for Sport later ruled that the inquiry was submitted after the deadline, resulting in the medal being awarded to another athlete. ​

🎓 Collegiate Career at UCLA

Jordan joined the UCLA Bruins gymnastics team in 2021, studying business economics. During her NCAA career, she achieved multiple perfect 10s and won national titles on uneven bars and floor exercise. She paused her studies in 2023 to focus on the Paris Olympics and plans to return to UCLA for the 2025 season. ​

🌟 Personal Life and Advocacy

Beyond gymnastics, Jordan is an advocate for body positivity and mental health. She has spoken openly about overcoming body shaming and racial discrimination in the sport. In 2025, she was featured in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, highlighting her influence beyond athletics. ​

🏅 Honors and Recognition

• Olympic Medals: Gold (2024 team), Silver (2020 team)

• World Championships: Gold (2022 team), Silver (2022 vault and floor)

• NCAA Titles: Uneven Bars and Floor Exercise Champion (2023)

• All-American Honors: Nine-time recipient

• Perfect 10s: Achieved eight perfect scores in NCAA competition ​

Jordan Chiles's journey from a young gymnast in Washington to an Olympic champion and advocate serves as an inspiration, showcasing resilience, dedication, and the power of mentorship.