The Real Reason Why Olympic Gymnast Jordan Chiles Isn’t Competing in the All-Around Final
The Team USA gymnast was less than a point shy of joining Simone Biles for the final competition.
The 2024 Paris Olympics are officially underway, and everyone is turning their heads to one of the most anticipated sports in the games. Fans are anxiously waiting to see the U.S. women’s gymnastics team attempt to medal in individual events that play to the competitors’ strengths.
While Team U.S.A. advanced to the finals of the women’s gymnastics team event (July 30), folks learned on July 28 that Simone Biles and Suni Lee would make history as the first two Olympic all-around gold medalists to compete in the final. On August 1, Suni (the 2020 gold medalist) and Simone (the 2016 champion) will both vie for the 2024 title.
According to the organization, there is an Olympic rule that limits each country to only two athletes allowed to compete in the individual final. Because Jordan’s score was slightly lower than Suni’s, Suni scored the second spot for the U.S. alongside Simone. What’s more, this rule will also prevent Jordan from competing in the vault event, as Jade’s score was higher.
“We knew it was going to be a battle going in,” said USA Gymnastics technical lead Chellsie Memmel. “It really was, you know, back and forth throughout the day. It just happened that today was Suni’s day. I know that they’re all still going to come together and support each other. But I know it’s going to sting and it’s going to take time, and that’s okay.”
Despite not competing in the all-around, Jordan’s run at the Olympics isn’t over. She’ll be competing in the floor event on August 5, meaning there’s still a chance for her to medal again. And as of Tuesday, Jordan already has a gold medal under her belt, along with the rest of Team USA.
