Jordan Chiles is taking some well-deserved time to relax after the intense and dramatic conclusion of her journey at the 2024 Olympics. On Tuesday, the 23-year-old American gymnast returned to social media with a trio of stunning Instagram photos, showcasing her modeling a chic black bikini and sunglasses while lounging in the sun.
“Golden paradise,” Chiles captioned the post, which quickly garnered a flood of heart-eyed emojis and fire reactions from her fans and followers.
Chiles had previously announced that she was stepping back from social media in the wake of a controversy surrounding her bronze medal win in the floor exercise final on August 5. The controversy erupted after Romanian gymnasts Ana Barbosu and Sabrina Maneca-Voinea both received scores of 13.700 in the event, with Barbosu initially securing third place due to a higher execution score. Chiles, who had scored 13.666, was later awarded a higher final score of 13.766 after Team USA filed an inquiry, moving her into the bronze medal position behind Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade and her teammate Simone Biles.
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However, this outcome led to a contentious dispute between Team USA and the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which ruled that the inquiry was submitted beyond the one-minute deadline allowed for reviews. As a result, Chiles was instructed by the International Olympic Committee to return her bronze medal, a decision that has sparked significant debate and frustration.
As of mid-August, reports indicated that Chiles still had the medal in her possession. Addressing the situation in an emotional social media post, Chiles described it as “one of the most challenging moments of my career.” She expressed her dismay over the ruling, stating, “This decision feels unjust and comes as a significant blow, not just to me, but to everyone who has championed my journey.” She also condemned the racially charged attacks she received online during the controversy, writing, “The unprompted racially driven attacks on social media are wrong and extremely hurtful. I’ve poured my heart and soul into this sport, and I am so proud to represent my country. I will never waver from my values of competing with integrity, striving for excellence, and upholding the values of sportsmanship and fairness.”
Despite the setback, Barbosu was eventually awarded the bronze medal for the floor exercise final, and Chiles has shifted her focus towards the future.
Chiles is now looking ahead to the Gold Over America Tour, an exciting event where she will join forces with her teammate and close friend Simone Biles. The tour, which promises to be an “exhilarating display of jaw-dropping athleticism and high-energy choreography with an inspirational message of hope, strength, resilience, and determination,” kicks off on September 16 in Oceanside, California, and wraps up in Detroit on November 3.
Chiles has been vocal about her excitement for the tour, urging fans to join in on the fun. “Y’all better tap in!!!” she enthusiastically wrote in an Instagram Story, rallying support for the event.
After a challenging Olympics, Jordan Chiles is ready to move forward, embracing new opportunities and continuing to inspire others with her resilience and determination.
