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Hispanic Heritage Month 2024

Jordan Chiles named to US Olympic team for 2nd time

Jordan Chiles poses during her floor routine in Pauley Pavilion. Chiles was named to the U.S. gymnastics Olympic team for the second consecutive time following her performance in the U.S. Olympic Trials.
(Daily Bruin file photo)

By Aaron Doyle

June 30, 2024 8:18 p.m.

This post was updated June 30 at 10:02 p.m.

Jordan Chiles will head to the Olympic Games for the second consecutive time.

Chiles was named to the U.S. Olympic Team on Sunday following her two-day performance at the U.S. Gymnastics Olympic Trials in Minneapolis. She placed third in the all-around, matching her finish at the 2021 Olympic Trials.

As a member of UCLA gymnastics during the 2022 and 2023 seasons, Chiles notched two NCAA individual titles on floor and bars. She was also a standout on floor and vault – competing the most difficult skills in the NCAA on the events.

Chiles deferred the 2024 season to focus on Olympic training, moving back to Spring, Texas to train at the World Champions Centre alongside the most decorated gymnast of all time – Simone Biles.

The Vancouver, Washington local clinched her spot after scoring a 14.200 on floor, highlighted by a sky-high, full-twisting double layout in her first tumbling pass. The score marks her highest on the event this year. Chiles went on to stick her double layout dismount, immediately bursting into tears.

Her floor routine topped off an already strong all-around day for the 2021 Olympic silver medalist. On vault, she powered through a Yurchenko double twist, scoring a 14.500. Chiles also completed a second vault – a Lopez – which will put her in contention for the Olympic vault event finals.

On day one of the trials, Chiles hit four-for-four events to sit in second place, surpassing the reigning Olympic all-around champion Sunisa Lee in the rankings. Chiles’ performance placed her above elite contenders, including Olympic gold medalist – and fellow NCAA gymnast – Jade Carey.

Following the second day of competition, Chiles fell to third place – still good enough for a trip to the City of Lights.

Chiles’ Olympic stock skyrocketed after injuries removed World Champion gymnasts Shilese Jones, Skye Blakely and Kayla DiCello from the competition.

After falling shy of making the World Championship team last year, Chiles is coming into the Olympic year with the opportunity to make another Olympic team. At her first competition of the year, the U.S. Classic, Chiles placed third in the all-around, behind Jones and Biles, respectively.

Chiles continued to make strides in the 2024 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships at the beginning of June, placing fifth in the all-around and second on bars. Her performance earned her a spot on the national team, and subsequently a berth in the Olympic Trials.

Chiles will become only the third Bruin gymnast to qualify for two consecutive Olympic Games, joining former Canadian gymnasts Yvonne Tousek and Kate Richardson.

UCLA gymnastics will send two Bruins to the Olympics in Paris this summer – rising senior Emma Malabuyo of the Philippines and Chiles of the United States.

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Aaron Doyle | Assistant Sports editor
Doyle is a 2024-2025 assistant Sports editor. He is a fourth-year psychobiology student from Las Vegas.
Doyle is a 2024-2025 assistant Sports editor. He is a fourth-year psychobiology student from Las Vegas.
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