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Jordan Chiles just reminded us all why she will forever be that girl: effortlessly raw, powerfully poised, and oh-so-real. The Olympic gymnast sat down with Hoda Kotb on the TODAY show, opening up about her experience at the 2024 Paris Olympics and the ongoing battle for her bronze medal. The 23-year-old also discussed her mental health and the strength it’s taken to keep going amid a storm of global controversy.
The interview is her first on TV on the topic.
Months after her historic performance, an immediate score inquiry during the Olympics, a decision to award Jordan a gold medal, and an overturn of that decision, questions remain. According to the TODAY interview, Jordan’s legal team is taking the issue to a high Swiss court. Supported by the U.S. Women’s Olympic team, they are pushing for justice and challenging the ruling that has overshadowed Jordan’s well-deserved moment.
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Jordan Chiles describes the last few months as ‘so hard,’ thanks fans for showing love.
Jordan still has her medal, but the battle rages on. And for her, this isn’t just about a piece of shiny hardware—it’s about truth, honor, and breaking barriers.
In the morning interview, Jordan held nothing back. She was raw, vulnerable, and relatable, as she described the last few months.
“I feel like I’ve been trying to tell myself I’ve been okay these past four, five months, but it’s honestly been so hard,” Jordan said, visibly emotional. “To everyone who’s been supporting me and lifting me up in a million different ways—thank you. This has been one of the hardest times for me, and I’m ready to speak my truth.”
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And here’s the thing about Jordan: she doesn’t just speak her truth. She is living it while exemplifying excellence.
Jordan Chiles’ bronze medal is more than just shiny hardware – it signifies her part in history.
Jordan discussed this commitment during her morning conversation, relating her bronze medal to excellence. While she’s a gold medalist with the U.S. women’s team, this accolade was solely hers.
She described it as “the cherry on top.” The medal also contributed to a historic moment that neither Jordan nor the world can forget: an all-Black woman podium in gymnastics. Gold medalist Rebeca Andrade from Team Brazil and silver medalist Simone Biles of Team USA stood alongside the floor exercise champion.
“I was able to go out there and be the best version of myself,” she said to Hoda. “It was just like I never expected myself to make a floor final. I never expected myself to come back with a medal, and none of that, but having it in the presence of knowing that I have the capability of giving my all and giving everything that I need to do as an athlete was just a moment.”
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Jordan’s resilience is what defines a true champion. Jordan’s journey is about so much more than medals—it’s about showing up as her authentic self, standing strong for what she believes in, and inspiring a new generation of young athletes, especially young women of color, to hold their heads high, even in the face of injustice.
Jordan’s perseverance isn’t just on the mat; it’s in everything she does. She’s breaking barriers her way and reminding us that our worth isn’t defined by anyone else’s judgment.
See her entire TODAY Show interview below.
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