In an exciting development for gymnastics fans, Jordan Chiles has officially announced her intention to compete at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. The announcement was made in a creative video featuring prominent Houston figures, rapper Paul Wall and jeweler Johnny Dang, who played a key role in the reveal.
Chiles, who originally hails from Oregon but relocated to Houston as a teenager to train at the World Champions Centre, shared her announcement on social media. The video, titled "LA2028...WHY NOT?", is narrated by basketball legend Michael Jordan and features appearances from singer Normani and model Winnie Harlow. It culminates with Chiles showcasing custom-made "LA 28" grillz, a nod to her Olympic aspirations.
In her social media post, Chiles expressed gratitude to Wall and Dang for their contribution, stating, "Thank you also to Johnny Dang and Paul Wall for creating these for me!!!" This collaboration highlights the intersection of sports and culture, showcasing how influential figures can support athletes in their journeys.
If successful in her Olympic bid, Chiles would be competing in her third Summer Olympics. She previously earned a silver medal as part of the U.S. women's gymnastics team at the Tokyo 2020 Games and followed that achievement with a gold medal in the team event at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Notably, during the Paris Games, she made headlines by wearing a special grill to match her gold medal on the podium.
Chiles' journey has not been without its challenges. In the 2024 Olympics, she faced a controversial situation where she initially secured a bronze medal in the floor exercise but was later stripped of it due to a late challenge filed by her team regarding scoring. The challenge was deemed invalid as it was submitted four seconds past the deadline, leading to an appeal that is still ongoing. Chiles has continued to fight for her rightful medal, with her legal team expressing optimism about the case being reviewed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Her announcement comes on the heels of her recent appointment as a student coach for the UCLA gymnastics program, where she has made a significant impact during her collegiate career. Chiles has earned 23 All-American honors and secured four NCAA titles while at UCLA, including winning the NCAA floor title and being named the WCGA West Region Gymnast of the Year.
UCLA head coach Janelle McDonald praised Chiles for her contributions to the program, stating, "Jordan has made an incredible impact on our program over the years. I'm excited to watch her continue that influence in a new capacity as she steps into this next chapter with student coaching." With her sights set on the 2028 Olympics and a new role at UCLA, Chiles is poised for an exciting future in gymnastics.
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