Jordan Chiles encountered a setback before her anticipated return to competition, withdrawing from the Winter Cup due to a shoulder injury. Despite the timing, just months away from pivotal events like the U.S. Olympic Trials and the Paris Olympics, she remains undeterred and confident in her ability to overcome.

Enduring physical trials, she has emerged not just as an athlete but as a symbol of resilience. Asserting, “I’m that girl,” she embraces her journey with unwavering self-assurance, poised to defy expectations and forge her path forward. But to become this kind of woman at 22 required tremendous strength and resilience. For Jordan Chiles, the journey to the top has been marked by moments of both triumph and turmoil. There was a time when “I lost my voice” in her words, as she recalls. It was here that Biles came in clutch and proved to deftly allay and all burgeoning problems that Chiles had, in a manner only she could pull off, and we doff our hats to her.

Simone Biles extends her messianic hand to Chiles

Jordan Chiles is a standout figure in the world of gymnastics. She has clinched the world championship title in 2022 and secured an Olympic silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 games. However, amidst her triumphs, Chiles recently disclosed the early adversities she faced during an interview with Athletics. She shed light on the transformative influence of Simone Biles in shaping her trajectory. Despite once finding solace in the exhilarating movements of gymnastics, Chiles found herself engulfed in distress, describing her initial encounter with the sport as akin to being trapped in a darkened chamber, devoid of illumination. She candidly recounted experiences of emotional and verbal abuse inflicted by a coach whose identity she chooses to withhold. She was burnt by her own light, and this stripped her of her confidence and left her castigated, in excruciating agony and pain.

Rediscovering her voice and spunk came through a pivotal suggestion proffered by Simone Biles. When she urged Chiles to relocate and train alongside her in Texas. This relocation in 2019 salvaged Chiles’ career and reignited her passion for the sport. Despite being excluded from the world championship team for three consecutive years, Chiles never wavered. She chased her Olympic dreams with resolute determination. The unforeseen challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic may have disrupted her timeline, postponing the Tokyo Olympics by a year, yet they failed to deter her unshakable commitment. However, Jordan’s achievement in securing a place in the Olympics was truly noteworthy and deserving of recognition.

Rising from underdog to champion

Jordan Chiles acknowledges the doubts that surrounded her during the Olympic cycle, labelling herself as the underdog. Despite this, she proved her mettle by finishing third at the U.S. trials in 2021. However, the weight of expectations bore heavily on her during the Tokyo Games, as she faltered in crucial routines.

About a week ago, the Winter Cup released its entry list for the 2024 edition. As it boasts a star-studded lineup featuring the notable returns of Suni Lee and Gabby Douglas, there’s a significant name missing. Simone Biles’ absence has undoubtedly cast a shadow of disappointment for many. And as illustrious as the rest of the entry list is – featuring the likes of Trinity Thomas and Yul Moldauer – Jordan Chiles has unfortunately joined Biles on the other side of it.

Jordan Chiles took to her Instagram story to announce her withdrawal from the event. She expressed, “Hey guys! I tweaked my shoulder, which has prevented me from training at the level I am comfortable with leading up to a competition.” Following consultations with her medical team and coaches, the decision was made jointly for her to withdraw from the Winter Cup. “I am frustrated I can’t perform for you all, but this is also part of our sport, and things like this only fuel me for what’s coming.”

While naturally disappointed to miss the opportunity to compete, she recognized that setbacks are inherent to the sport and only strengthen her resolve for upcoming challenges. With the announcement, she also created an air of anticipation as she wrote, “Can’t wait to show you what we have cookin’. Just a little while longer. See you soon!” Considering how resilient she is, there’s no doubt gymnastics fans all around are excited for her return. Remember the 2023 Pan American Games?

As the veteran leader of the U.S. squad at the 2023 Pan American Games, Jordan Chiles was delivering near-perfect performances throughout the event. However, following a wobbly start to her uneven bars routine, she fell back first while performing the Piked Jaeger maneuver. But being the champ she is, the 22-year-old got back up and finished her routine with a full-in dismount. Despite the fall, Chiles secured third place in the all-around scoring.

As she recovers from her shoulder injury, Chiles extended her support to all the other athletes competing, expressing, “Cheering on all of the girls competing! BRING IT!” While she looks forward to returning stronger following her recovery, it’s also worth noting that on February 14, another 18-year-old gymnast announced their withdrawal from the Winter Cup.

The road to recovery fueled by determination

Zoe Miller shared a heartfelt update on her Instagram stories, revealing her unfortunate withdrawal from the upcoming Winter Cup due to an injury. She  expressed her disappointment, explaining, “With much regret, I wanted to share that my participation in this year’s Winter Cup is no longer feasible due to an injury.”

Despite not disclosing the specifics of her injury, Zoe conveyed her dedication to recovery and offered words of encouragement to her fellow competitors, stating, “Best of luck to all participants. I will be rooting for everyone.” As a key qualifying event for the 2024 U.S. Gymnastics Championships and a platform for selecting national teams, missing out on the Winter Cup represents a setback for Miller, who has been a national team member since 2021 and harbors aspirations for Paris 2024.