AUSTIN (KXAN) — The U.S. women’s gymnastics team dominated Saturday, finishing at the top after the first day of Olympic competition in Paris — and competing in her second Olympics this year is Jordan Chiles.
KXAN’s Jala Washington sat down with Chiles’ family in Paris after the start of the games. Jordan will be competing with her team in the finals on Tuesday.
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Her parents told Washington that they’re thrilled to watch her in Paris — getting to see her compete at the Olympics for the first time.
“We missed out on Tokyo because of COVID,” Timothy Chiles, Jordan’s father, said. “All that kind of stuff. And then for her to go two times, and it’s Paris, and now all the parents now can come. I think it’s going to be a phenomenal Olympics.”
Jordan has become a commanding force on Team USA as she vies in her second Olympics. For Gina Chiles, Jordan’s mom, she said the world is seeing her daughter in her full, authentic form.
“What people are seeing now is who Jordan has always been to us, but they get to experience it on, you know, the next level because Jordan is going to Jordan,” she said, laughing.
When asked what exactly “Jordan is going to Jordan” means, Timothy didn’t hesitate to chime in.
“She’s going to get her nails done, she’s gonna dance, she’s going to laugh, she’s going to shop,” he said.
Jordan — with her Beyoncé-themed leotards this season to match her Beyoncé floor music — has caught the attention of Queen Bee herself. Beyoncé sent Jordan a signed ‘Cowboy Carter’ record to wish her well.
Beyond the Bey Hive, rapper Megan Thee Stallion sent Jordan a large bouquet of flowers, and Gina said her daughter even received a text from NBA legend Michael Jordan himself.
But even as her star status astral projects at the games, Jordan will always be the same little girl who shined bright — and dared to dream.
The team finals begin at 11:15 a.m. CDT from Bercy Arena in Paris. Team USA will start its rotation on vault alongside Italy.