Jordan Lucella Elizabeth Chiles was born in Oregon on April 15, 2001, to an African American father and a Latina mother. She has grown into one of the brightest names in American gymnastics, carrying her heritage with pride onto the world’s biggest stage. She has represented the United States at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games, leaving her mark as one of the sport’s most inspiring athletes.
© Getty ImagesHer journey began at the age of six when her mother noticed her natural talent and encouraged her to pursue gymnastics. With determination and discipline, Jordan turned that spark into a lifelong passion. She attended Prairie High School in Vancouver, Washington, and is now continuing her path both academically and athletically at the University of California, Los Angeles.
“Your dreams are very powerful. They are beyond measure and something you don’t want to take for granted."
At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, held a year later because of the pandemic, Jordan helped the United States win the silver medal alongside Simone Biles, Sunisa Lee, and Grace McCallum.
© Getty ImagesHer success only grew from there. At the 2022 Artistic Gymnastics World Championships, she captured gold in the team event and silver in both vault and floor. The following year, at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, she added to her medal collection with team gold, silver in the vault, and bronze in all-around.
Paris 2024 marked the height of her journey. Jordan once again climbed the Olympic podium with her teammates Simone Biles, Jade Carey, Sunisa Lee, and Hezly Rivera, this time claiming gold in the team event. Her name made headlines when her first individual Olympic medal was taken away after a review of her floor routine. Initially placed fifth, her coach’s appeal elevated her to third, awarding her the bronze and making history as part of the first all-Black podium in women’s gymnastics at the Olympic Games, standing beside Simone Biles and Rebeca Andrade.
Jordan’s story is not only one of medals but also of resilience, pride, and breaking barriers. Each victory has carried the weight of her roots, her discipline, and her unwavering belief that she belongs among the very best.
© Getty ImagesHowever, days later her joy turned into heartbreak. The Romanian team appealed the score review to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, and the court upheld the appeal. The bronze medal was then awarded to Romania’s Ana Barbosu. The International Gymnastics Federation and the International Olympic Committee confirmed the ruling and requested that Chiles return the medal.
The decision marked one of the most difficult moments of her career, a test that weighed heavily on her mental health. Yet even in loss, Jordan’s strength and resilience shone through, showing the world that her story is defined not only by medals but by the courage to face adversity with dignity.
"It's still a struggle to talk about it... Six months ago, I was not able to move. I was stuck in my bed. I was mentally gone, mentally not OK."
As of today, Chiles and her legal team continue to appeal the decision to Switzerland's Federal Supreme Court, where CAS is based. In March 2025, TIME magazine included her in its Women of the Year list, spotlighting her strength and perseverance.
© Getty ImagesFollowing the emotional rollercoaster of Paris 2024, Chiles was inspired to write her memoir, "I'm That Girl: Living the Power of My Dreams," published by HarperCollins. Released in March 2025, the book dives into the pivotal event that shaped her professional journey, and she emphasizes that, despite it all, she's not giving up on her dreams.
"Of course, I'm still chasing an individual medal. But I know myself, and I know the work and effort I put in [in Paris]—and that was a historic podium. I'm so proud to have been a part of it. At the end of the day, I always tell people, 'I'm just like you. I'm trying to reach greatness, just like everyone else.'"
© Getty Images
