Jordan Chiles was a breakout star before the Tokyo Olympics. Although at the time she had never been to a world championships or won a major elite competition at the senior level, Chiles solidified herself as one of the strongest contenders for Tokyo early on in 2021, starting the year with a win at the Winter Cup and finishing third in the all-around at the U.S. Championships and U.S. Olympic Trials. Chiles closed out the year with a silver medal in her first appearance at the Olympic Games.
Following Tokyo, Chiles went on to become a star at UCLA, where she won NCAA titles on uneven bars and floor exercise in 2023, while also continuing her elite career. Chiles won three world medals in 2022 and three medals at the Pan American Games in 2023.
Get to know a little more about the Olympic silver medalist as she prepares for the Paris Olympic Games.
Athlete bio
How old is Jordan Chiles?
Jordan Chiles was born April 15, 2001 and is 23 years old.
Where did Jordan Chiles go to college?
Jordan Chiles attended UCLA and studied business from the fall of 2021 to the spring of 2023 while competing on the gymnastics team. Following the conclusion of the 2023 NCAA season, Chiles deferred her enrollment to train for the Paris Olympics and has not stated if she plans to return.
When did Jordan Chiles start competing in gymnastics?
Jordan Chiles was an active child who would cartwheel and walk on her hands whenever the opportunity arose. She joined a recreational gymnastics class at age six and was asked to try out for the pre-team after just one class.
Where is Jordan Chiles from?
Jordan Chiles was born in Vancouver, Washington.
Why did Jordan Chiles move to Texas?
Jordan Chiles moved to Spring, Texas in 2019 to train at World Champions Centre under coaches Laurent and Cecile Landi, and alongside Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles. Chiles' longtime coach suggested she move because he felt he had taken her as far as he possibly could in the sport, according to Chiles.
What is Jordan Chiles’ nickname?
Jordan Chiles' family gave her the nickname Chick, after the character Chicken Little. As a kid, Chiles used to play tee ball and her helmeted head looked huge - just like Chicken Little's - so the name felt fitting, Chiles' mother Gina told the New York Times.
Are Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles still friends?
Jordan Chiles and Simone Biles are not only training partners, but good friends. After the Tokyo Olympics, Biles gifted Chiles a necklace with the Olympic rings on it.
Of Biles, Chiles told NBC Olympics in April: "This girl is beyond words. I wish people could truly understand who she is - and not just the gymnastics. She's the bestest friend I've ever had in my life. She's like a big sister to me."
Is Jordan Chiles sponsored by Nike?
Jordan Chiles signed a deal with Nike in 2023. In December 2023, the Nike X Jordan Chiles Holiday '23 collection was launched.
What are some fun facts about Jordan Chiles?
- Jordan Chiles was named after Michael Jordan
- Jordan Chiles is a self-described "sneaker head" and has a collection of over 50 pairs of Jordans at home
- Jordan Chiles has two toy poodles named Chanel and Versace
- Jordan Chiles is a fan of Spider-Man and her Olympic floor routine from 2021 was Spider-Man themed. In a post-competition interview, Chiles said she chose the theme to “show people that I am a superhero as well.”
Career highlights
How many Olympics has Jordan Chiles been to?
Jordan Chiles competed at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where she won a silver medal with the United States team.
How did Jordan Chiles do at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics?
Jordan Chiles did not qualify to any individual event finals at the Tokyo Olympics, but rose to the occasion in a big way during the team final when Simone Biles withdrew from the competition. Chiles was originally only planning to compete on vault and floor exercise, but was selected to replace Biles in the uneven bar and balance beam lineup. Chiles hit both routines despite not warming up on either event before the competition and helped Team USA win the silver medal.
How many gold medals does Jordan Chiles have?
Jordan Chiles won a world gold medal with the U.S. team in 2022. Other notable gold medals in her career include a team gold from the 2023 Pan American Games and three gold medals (team, vault and floor) from the 2018 Pacific Rim Championships.
Is Jordan Chiles still competing for UCLA?
Jordan Chiles did not compete for UCLA during the 2024 NCAA season. Chiles took a break from college to train for Paris 2024 but has not ruled out a return to Westwood.
In April, Chiles told NBC Olympics: "As of right now, I'm not going to say anything. Obviously I do love UCLA. I love everything about it ... Do I miss it? 100%. But right now my focus is Paris."
How many perfect 10s does Jordan Chiles have?
During her time at UCLA, Jordan Chiles scored eight perfect 10s. During her freshman year in 2022, she scored one 10 on uneven bars and two 10s on floor exercise. As a sophomore in 2023, Chiles scored three 10s on uneven bars and two 10s on floor exercise.
What medals did Jordan Chiles win at the 2022 World Championships in Liverpool?
At the 2022 World Championships, Jordan Chiles won a gold medal with the U.S. team and two individual silver medals on vault and floor exercise.
What medals did Jordan Chiles win at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago?
At the 2023 Pan American Games, Jordan Chiles won a complete set of medals: gold with the U.S. team, silver on vault and bronze in the all-around.
Road to Paris
Where is Jordan Chiles training for Paris 2024?
After the 2023 NCAA season, Jordan Chiles returned to World Champions Centre in Spring, Texas - the same gym where she trained leading up to the Tokyo Olympics.
How is Jordan Chiles’ shoulder doing?
Jordan Chiles withdrew from the 2024 Winter Cup due to a sprained AC joint, which kept her out of training for three weeks. However, Chiles has returned to competition on all four events and has reported that her shoulder is doing well.
How did Jordan Chiles perform at the 2024 Core Hydration Classic?
Jordan Chiles made her 2024 season debut at the Core Hydration Classic where she placed third in the all-around and tied for third on the uneven bars.
How did Jordan Chiles perform at the 2024 Xfinity U.S. Championships?
Jordan Chiles made a few mistakes at the U.S. Championships but still pulled off a fifth place all-around finish in addition to placing second on uneven bars.
How did Jordan Chiles perform at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials?
Jordan Chiles finished third all-around at Trials to punch a ticket to the Paris Olympic Games.
In her own words
Jordan Chiles on her earliest Olympic memory
“I remember laying on my parents bed and watching the Olympics. I told my mom, 'One day I will go to the Olympics.' I was only 7-years-old at the time.”
Jordan Chiles on a common misconception about gymnastics
“Just because you're able to do the most difficult moves as a junior, that doesn’t mean you will be able to do those same moves as a senior.”
Jordan Chiles on what motivates her to keep going in the sport
“My desire to leave the sport in a better place than when I entered for the next generation and to leave the sport knowing I inspired other little girls to go for it and love it!”
Jordan Chiles on what she's most looking forward to in Paris
“Since my Olympics was during COVID, we didn’t get to experience what most have in the past. I'm looking forward to seeing the crowd and interacting with other athletes.”
Jordan Chiles on her favorite food to splurge on
“I love Chick-fil-A, Dutch Brothers, Starbucks, chicken wings and pizza.”
Jordan Chiles on which athletes she thinks are the ‘Greatest Of All Time’
“Serena Williams, Simone Biles and Michael Jordan.”
Jordan Chiles on her hidden talent
"I can rap!"
Jordan Chiles on her dream career
"I have always wanted to be a zoologist, but my current dream is to be an actress."