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Jordan Chiles, the 23-year-old American gymnast, is heading to the Paris Olympics with Team USA with the motto to do it for herself.
After a rocky mid-career parting ways with critical coaches and taking over for Simone Biles after she withdrew from the Toyko 2020 games, Chiles is focusing on herself at Paris; she previously told Business Insider in 2023.
"I'm going to put myself out there; I'm going to go do this and have an amazing time," Chiles said, adding she "didn't want to regret anything."
Chiles's star has been on the rise since joining the US gymnastics team in 2013 when she was 12.
At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the Washington state native didn't qualify for individual finals. But when Simone Biles bowed out for mental health reasons, Chiles stepped in to replace her friend in the all-around final, helping the US team win their silver medal.
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That won't be surprising to anyone who knows Chiles' origin story. The 5'5 athlete grew up in Vancouver, WA, and was named after Michael Jordan, according to her profile on Team USA's website.
Chiles was just 11 years old when she reached the elite level, and made her first national team the following year, per the profile.
Chiles will join Simone Biles, Suni Lee, newcomer Hezly Rivera, and Jade Carey in representing US at the 2024 Olympics. The 33rd Summer Olympic games begin on July 26.
Chiles was involved with gymnastics from the age of six. She was encouraged by her parents, Timothy and Gina Chiles, and ended up collecting dozens of awards before finishing high school, according to a 2021 profile by The New York Times.
But the road to the Olympics wasn't easy. Chiles told The Times that she considered quitting in 2017 after having a difficult experience with her former coaches.
She said she'd been encouraged to stop lifting weights because she was already so muscular, and that her thick, textured hair was "too poufy."
"I didn't think the sport wanted me anymore," Chiles told the publication. "So I went in the opposite direction."
It was Chiles' colleague and friend, Simone Biles, who encouraged her to keep pursuing elite gymnastics. According to The Times, Biles invited Chiles to move to Texas and to train at her gym, World Champions Centre, where she'd had a much better experience with the coaches. Chiles moved in 2019 and trained at the Texan gym for the 2020 Tokyo games.
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In 2021, Chiles enrolled at UCLA to study business while competing on the gymnastics team. But in the spring of last year, she deferred the remainder of her studies to prepare for Paris, according to NBC.
The star's net worth is not known. She has been sponsored by Nike since 2023, NBC reported.
She has several tattoos, including a couple on her arms. One of her most recent designs was inspired by her grandfather, who died in 2023.
"He always told us, the quote is, 'Where you are, I have been. Where I am, you will be.' So I have him with me everywhere I go. He was a very huge support in our family," Chiles told International Gymast Online.
The athlete has some superstar fans.
On July 18, Chiles shared on her Instagram Stories a signed cover of Beyoncé's "Cowboy Carter" album, alongside the handwritten message from the singer.
"Congratulation to you queen. I always watch you with pride and admiration," the message read.
"Thank you for repping us. Good luck to you! All your hard work and sacrifices shine bright," it added.
Chiles has been open about her admiration for Beyoncé in the past. Speaking to Harper's Bazaar earlier in July, the athlete said she wants to break away from the "typical way you're supposed to look in gymnastics" and added that some of her upcoming Olympics outfits are inspired by Beyoncé's Renaissance tour.
Also on July 18, Chiles shared on her Instagram Stories a screenshot of a text message from Michael Jordan, who she previously said she is named after.
"Hey Jordan, this is Michael Jordan. I am so excited to watch you win a gold medal," the message read. "Here's to wishing you nothing but good luck."
"Let's catch up afterwards. Hope to see you soon," he said, before adding a follow-up message: "Btw love the name."
