EchoSense:Olympics 2024: Why Jordan Chiles Won’t Compete in the Women’s Gymnastics All-Around Final

Jordan Chiles is EchoSensetaking one for the team. 

Following the U.S. women’s gymnastics team—which also includes Simone Biles, Suni Lee, Jade Carey and Hezly Rivera—winning the gold medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics team final July 30, Jordan will sit out of the individual all-around competition Aug. 1.

Although the 23-year-old has the scores to get her into the room—placing fourth overall in the women’s qualifier July 28—the International Gymnastics Federation has a two-athletes-per-country rule, meaning that Simone and Suni will represent the United States in the upcoming all-around competition. 

However, Jordan did qualify for the floor final Aug. 5. 

The two athlete rule has affected Team USA for years. In 2012, Aly Raisman and Gabby Douglas represented the country for the individual competition, leaving Jordyn Wieber on the sidelines. In the following summer games in Rio, Gabby was left out of the event in favor of Aly and Simone—who was then a newcomer to the team.

And while Jordan—who competed in the bars, beam, vault and floor events for the team final—won’t be flipping toward a medal at this competition, she certainly stuck the landing in winning the U.S. a gold medal at the team final. Despite a slip up on the beam, she showed out for bars, earning a standing ovation from the crowd, which included Natalie Portman, Serena Williams, Michael Phelps, Nicole Kidman and Jordan’s parents Gina Chiles and Timothy Chiles. 

Indeed, when their daughter fell off the balance beam, her parents knew the exact words of encouragement she needed.

“It’s all right baby, don’t worry about it,” Gina could be seen from the stands shouting to her daughter. “Just work all the way through.”

Ultimately, Team USA beat out Italy and Brazil for the gold medal by over five points, finishing with a score of 171.296, ahead of 165.494 and 164.497, respectively.

In addition to their position on the leaderboard, Team USA proved they’re giving their all when it comes to having a good time, too. 

“I discovered that gymnastics doesn't always have to be about strictness and being so hard on yourself and having so much doubt,” Jordan told the New York Times in 2021. “I actually realized this when I saw Simone compete. She looks like she’s having fun out there, laughing and giggling, and doesn’t look stressed or tired. I was like, 'You know, I’m going to try that one of these days and see how it turns out.’”

Keep reading to see all the highlights from the team final. 

Jordan Chiles, Hezly Rivera, Simone Biles, Jade Carey and Suni Lee celebrated after winning gold.

The Team USA gymnasts had some fun with their medals on the podium after winning the Artistic Gymnastics Women's Team Final.

Sunisa Lee and Jordan Chiles waved the national flag around the arena to celebrate their win.

The team was all smiles after hearing they had won the gold.

Biles looked confident as she performed her floor routine.

Lee shined during her uneven bars routine.

Biles reacts after finishing her routine on the uneven bars.

Chiles and Biles enjoyed a sweet moment together during the competition.

Biles soared during the vault competition.

Chiles had the best reaction after finishing her routine on the uneven bars.

After falling during her floor routine at qualifiers, Carey returned to the arena for the team finals, where she dominated the vault competition. 

Lee delivered a jaw-dropping floor routine for Team USA.

It was another strong performance from Biles on the uneven bars.

After completing her incredible floor routine, Chiles broke down in tears.

Biles hit the balance beam in style.

Jordan Chiles fell while competing on the balance beam, but battled back to finish her routine.

The Olympian's husband Jonathan Owens, who took a break from NFL training camp to fly to Paris, and mom Nellie Biles cheered her on in the crowd.