Jordan Chiles just made the biggest announcement, dropping a video that declares her intent to try for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, and she brought in some serious star power to do it. We’re talking Houston legends Paul Wall and Johnny Dang, the grill masters themselves, plus narration by none other than Michael Jordan. This gymnast is not messing around with her comeback.
“LA 28” Grillz and Olympic Glory
Chiles, who was born in Oregon but moved to the Houston area to train as a teenager, released a social media video titled “LA2028…WHY NOT?”. It’s a statement, right? The video, which also features singer Normani and model Winnie Harlow, ends with Chiles showing off custom “LA 28” grillz, shouting out Johnny Dang and Paul Wall for making them. If she makes the team in 2028, this will be her third trip to the Summer Olympics. You know her track record, too: a 2020 team silver medal and a 2024 team gold medal for Team USA, even rocking a special grill on the podium that year. She’s been there, done that, and now she wants more.
The Fight For A Medal Continues
What’s crazy is this announcement comes while she’s still battling for a medal she believes is hers. In 2024, Chiles controversially finished fourth in the floor competition after initially winning the bronze. Romania appealed, claiming Chiles and her coach challenged a scoring change four seconds *after* the one-minute deadline. Officials agreed and stripped her of the medal. But Chiles? She appealed that decision herself! Just this past January, the Swiss supreme court sent the case back to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to review new evidence. Her legal team, through Maurice M. Suh, said in a statement that they are “delighted” and believe there is “conclusive” video evidence proving she was the rightful bronze winner. You gotta love that fighting spirit.
Her decision to go for the Olympics again comes just a day after UCLA announced Chiles accepted a student coach job for their Bruins gymnastics program. This woman is dedicated. She earned 23 All-American honors and won four NCAA titles for UCLA in college, including the NCAA floor title, WCGA West Region Gymnast of the Year, Big Ten Gymnast of the Year, and the AAI Award this past season as a senior. UCLA head coach Janelle McDonald said Chiles “has made an incredible impact” on their program and is “excited to watch her continue that influence.” Talk about a busy schedule. Can Jordan Chiles reclaim her bronze and then snag another Olympic medal in 2028? You bet she’s going to try.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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