"There were days I just sat there crying" - Jordan Chiles opens up about the lesser known aspects of hardships in her life

Olympic champion gymnast Jordan Chiles recently opened up about the lesser-known aspects of her life. The 24-year-old gymnast sat down for an interview recently with Essence magazine.

During the interview, Chiles described her experience at the Olympics, as well as her thoughts about the autobiography that was published earlier this year. The 24-year-old gymnast also opened up about the childhood trauma and the emotional scars that hadn't healed yet.

Chiles talked about how strength now meant honesty for her. The gymnast said during the interview,

“There were days I just sat there crying. It was hard, but it was freeing, too. Because you can’t heal what you keep hiding."

Jordan Chiles also revealed how she got over the heartbreak at the Paris Olympics. She further added,

“I probably would say when I got to do my Sports Illustrated 60th-anniversary Swimsuit Issue, celebrating my body and my confidence on my own terms.That was one time I was finally just like, 'Wow. People are still supporting me'."

Jordan Chiles is currently participating in the 34th season of the dance reality show 'Dancing with the Stars'. Chiles has teamed up with choreographer Ezra Sosa for the current season.

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When Jordan Chiles named the main culprit behind the bronze medal controversy

Jordan Chiles talks about the main culprit behind the bronze medal controversy [Image Source: Getty]

Jordan Chiles once revealed the main culprit behind the bronze medal controversy at the Paris Olympics. In her conversation with The Daily Mail in March 2025, the gymnast remarked,

“I was crushed and angry. None of this would have happened if Ana's coach, who knew that Cecile had submitted an inquiry right after my floor routine, had waited for the inquiry results to come in before allowing Ana to take the podium, holding her flag.”

The gymnast further added,

“That was highly unusual and premature. Our coaches would not have allowed us to do that. Everyone knows you don't celebrate until after everything is final - and an inquiry for my score had been announced.”

Jordan Chiles was referring to the Romanian gymnast Ana Barbosu, who was originally ranked above Chiles during the floor exercise finals. When the American coach Cecile Landi submitted an inquiry for an appeal, the jury updated the scores, making Chiles the bronze medalist.

However, the Romanian authorities protested against this decision and appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The Court found that Jordan Chiles had submitted the inquiry beyond the stipulated time, and restored the bronze medal to Ana Barbosu.

Edited by Animesh Pandey