‘Why not?’ Jordan Chiles reveals Olympic return with California-themed visual narrated by Michael Jordan
The Olympic medalist, who ended her collegiate career with her second national title at UCLA, made the announcement in a video also featuring Normani and Winnie Harlow.
Jordan Chiles just made it clear: she’s a part of LA28.
And used the voice of His Airness to drive the point home.
Chiles uploaded a hype video to Instagram on Wednesday, ending speculation about her return to the floor with the U.S. women’s gymnastics team after taking on a role as a coach at UCLA. In the video, narrated by Michael Jordan, Chiles can be seen hanging out with Normani and Winnie Harlow, letting her feet move in the sand before later flashing a gold grill that says “LA 28.”
“Why again? Because the dream is still there,” Jordan, who is Chiles’ namesake, says. “Why continue? Because there’s still more to give,” Jordan says in the video. “Why her? Because she’s that girl.”
Chiles’ announcement marks the fourth such instance from the gold medal-winning Paris 2024 U.S. squad to commit to competing on home soil in Los Angeles. Hezly Rivera, Jade Carey and Suni Lee announced their bids to re-join the team earlier this year. The one gymnast who hasn’t fully committed to a return? Simone Biles.
Biles, who previously said she was “50/50” about a return for the upcoming Games, is one of the most decorated Olympians in U.S. history. Chiles, who bid farewell to her collegiate career at UCLA, recently took on a role as a student coach with the university, five months after capping her UCLA chapter with a national championship in the floor exercise.
The school announced Chiles’ move from athlete to coach on Tuesday, marking her transition from Jordan to “Coach Jo.”
“Jordan has made an incredible impact on our program over the years,” coach Janelle McDonald said in a statement. “I’m excited to watch her continue that influence in a new capacity as she steps into this next chapter with student coaching. Her energy, passion, leadership and gymnastics experience will make a unique and positive impact on our team this coming year! I cannot wait to get started with this year’s squad, and I am grateful to have Jordan on board with us!”
For Chiles, LA 28 may mark one final chance at winning an individual gold medal after taking home team gold at Paris 2024 and team silver at Tokyo 2020. Her statement highlights how much impact she’s already garnered as an “it girl” both on the mat and away from it.