Podcasts > NPR's Book of the Day > 'I'm That Girl' follows gymnast Jordan Chiles' road to the Olympics

'I'm That Girl' follows gymnast Jordan Chiles' road to the Olympics

By NPR (podcasts@npr.org)

In this episode of NPR's Book of the Day, the memoir 'I'm That Girl' by Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles is explored. From a young age, Chiles faced discrimination and pressures to conform to rigid expectations in the gymnastics world regarding her appearance and personal expression. The memoir details her journey embracing her identity, overcoming setbacks, and ultimately finding triumph alongside mentor Simone Biles at the Paris Olympics—until a technicality revoked her hard-earned bronze medal.

Chiles' story illuminates her perseverance and the challenges athletes face in reconciling their cultures with traditional norms. As she looks ahead, the memoir reflects on how Chiles' influence has expanded boundaries around self-expression while contemplating her path toward a potential appearance at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

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'I'm That Girl' follows gymnast Jordan Chiles' road to the Olympics

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'I'm That Girl' follows gymnast Jordan Chiles' road to the Olympics

1-Page Summary

Jordan Chiles' Struggles with Discrimination and Identity

As a young gymnast of color, Jordan Chiles faced discrimination and pressure to conform to rigid expectations around appearance and behavior. At just 12, her coach cut her braids without consent, ignoring her autonomy. From ages 12-16, Chiles felt restricted from expressing her personality through hairstyles like braids, twists, and Afros—styles that were important expressions of her authenticity but uncommon in gymnastics.

Despite pressures to conform to the expected "elite international look," Chiles increasingly embraced styles that differed from tradition. Her nonconformity asserted her identity, demonstrating athletes shouldn't sacrifice their culture and personality.

Simone Biles' Mentorship

In her mid-teens, Chiles nearly quit gymnastics until Simone Biles urged her to realize her talent and potential to make an Olympic team. Biles' advice came from recognizing Chiles' innate gifts. Throughout her early challenges, Chiles also relied on family, teachers, faith, and friends for support.

Olympic Triumphs and Setbacks

At the 2022 Paris Olympics, Chiles experienced the triumph of winning bronze alongside Biles—a historic, hard-earned moment affirming her elite status. But she then faced devastation when the medal was revoked on technical grounds, feeling it continued a pattern of diminished accomplishments.

Looking to 2028 Olympics

While the 2028 LA Olympics are "on her radar," Chiles is prioritizing enjoying college without too much pressure for now. She feels her influence has challenged norms around gymnasts' self-expression and identity. When the time comes, she'll consider her 2028 Olympic options.

1-Page Summary

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Jordan Chiles faced discrimination and pressure in gymnastics related to her appearance and expression of identity, including having her braids cut without consent and feeling restricted from wearing hairstyles important to her authenticity. She navigated expectations to conform to a specific "elite international look" in the sport, ultimately embracing non-traditional styles to assert her identity and cultural expression.
  • In gymnastics, the "elite international look" typically emphasizes a certain aesthetic that includes sleek, polished appearances with minimal variation in hairstyles and attire. Athletes are often expected to conform to this standardized image to project a unified and professional image on the international stage. Deviating from this traditional look, such as through unconventional hairstyles like braids, twists, or Afros, can sometimes be met with resistance or scrutiny in the gymnastics community. This expectation reflects broader norms within the sport that prioritize uniformity and conformity to maintain a specific image of athleticism and professionalism.
  • Jordan Chiles' influence on challenging norms around gymnasts' self-expression and identity stems from her advocacy for embracing diverse hairstyles and personal styles in a sport traditionally known for uniformity. By openly expressing her authenticity through hairstyles like braids and Afros, Chiles has encouraged other gymnasts to feel empowered to showcase their cultural identities. Her actions have sparked conversations about the importance of individuality and self-expression in a competitive and often rigid environment, inspiring a shift towards greater acceptance of diverse appearances and personal expressions in gymnastics.

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'I'm That Girl' follows gymnast Jordan Chiles' road to the Olympics

Jordan Chiles' Gymnastics Struggles: Discrimination and Identity Challenges

Jordan Chiles, a young gymnast of color, faced numerous moments of discrimination and challenges to her identity in a sport where expectations around appearance were rigid and often exclusive.

Jordan Faced Discrimination and Microaggressions As a Young Gymnast of Color

Coach Cut 12-year-Old Jordan's Braids, Ignoring Her Autonomy

At just 12 years old, during a training camp in Texas, Jordan Chiles experienced a striking act of discrimination when her coach cut her hair—specifically, her braids that included extensions—because they did not conform to the "elite international look" expected in gymnastics. Reflecting on that moment, Chiles regretted not speaking up to tell her coach that such an act was wrong, as the braids were a cherished part of her identity.

Jordan Felt Restricted by Pressures and Expectations From Ages 12-16

Throughout her early teens, Chiles felt pressured to abide by the unwritten rules of the sport to avoid being labeled disobedient or as having an attitude problem—a stereotype often unfairly applied to women of color. This dynamic made it challenging for her to express her personality through her hairstyles, which included braids, twists, and Afros, styles that were uncommon in the gymnastics world and viewed by Chiles as important forms of personal expression and authenticity.

Jordan's Style and Self-Expression Faced Policing and Criticism in Gymnastics

Jordan Embraced Hairstyles and Choices Different From the "Elite International Look" Expected Of Gymnasts

Despite the external pressures to conform, Chiles increasingly embraced styles and choices that differed f ...

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Jordan Chiles' Gymnastics Struggles: Discrimination and Identity Challenges

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Actionables

  • Reflect on personal experiences where you felt pressured to conform and journal about them to understand your feelings and reactions. By writing down these instances, you can identify patterns in your behavior and the external pressures that influenced you. For example, if you felt the need to dress a certain way for a job interview, write about why you felt that way and how it made you feel, then consider how you might approach it differently in the future to stay true to your identity.
  • Create a visual representation of your identity, such as a collage or mood board, using images, quotes, and items that resonate with you. This can help you visualize and affirm your unique qualities and preferences. For instance, if you love vibrant colors but work in a conservative environment, include images that showcase how you might incorporate your love for color into your wardrobe or workspace in a way that feels authentic to you.
  • Start a small social media pr ...

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'I'm That Girl' follows gymnast Jordan Chiles' road to the Olympics

Mentorship From Gymnasts Like Simone Biles

Jordan Nearly Quit Gymnastics Until Talking With Simone Biles

In her mid-teens, Jordan Chiles contemplated leaving the world of gymnastics until a conversation with Simone Biles at a training camp changed her perspective. It was Biles who saw the latent talent and potential in Chiles, urging her to realize that she had the capability to make an Olympic team. This crucial mentorship moment with Biles helped Chiles to reassess her path and encouraged her to continue pursuing her gymnastic dreams.

Biles Urged Jordan to Realize Her Potential, Recognizing Her Talent and Gifts

The conversation with Biles was a pivotal point for Chiles, as the seasoned gymnast's advice came from a place of experience and recognition of Chiles’s innate gifts. Biles, a multi-time world and Olympic champion, saw Chiles’s struggles but also her potential, leading her to push Chiles to not give up on her talent.

Jordan Relied On Family, Teachers, and Faith to Navigate Gymnastics Challenges

Throughout her gymnastics career, especially from the ages ...

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Mentorship From Gymnasts Like Simone Biles

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Actionables

  • Identify a peer who shows promise in an area you're knowledgeable about and offer constructive feedback. By recognizing someone else's potential, you can help them see value in their efforts. For example, if you notice a coworker excelling in a task, take a moment to acknowledge their skill and suggest ways they might further develop it.
  • Create a personal "board of advisors" consisting of friends, family, or mentors to consult on major decisions. This support network can provide diverse perspectives and emotional support. Start by listing people you trust in different areas of your life and reach out to them to establish this informal advisory role.
  • Reflect on past challenges and write ...

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'I'm That Girl' follows gymnast Jordan Chiles' road to the Olympics

Jordan's Olympic Wins and Losses With Medals Stripped

Jordan Chiles, an Olympic gymnast, recalls her journey of triumph and disappointment at the Paris Olympics where she won her first event final medal only to have it revoked later due to a technical ruling.

Jordan's Pride: First Olympic Bronze at 2022 Paris Olympics

Jordan's Historic Moment Competing With Biles

Chiles fondly remembers winning her first event final medal at the Paris Olympics, standing alongside her teammate and friend Simone Biles and Brazil's Rebecca Andrade. This moment was historic for Chiles, affirming her place in the world of elite gymnastics and symbolizing her hard work's payoff.

Bronze Medal Revoked Due to Technical Ruling

Shockingly, Chiles experienced a significant setback when an arbitration court stripped away her bronze medal in the women's floor routine on technical grounds. The ruling left Chiles devastated and feeling as if a pattern of having her accomplishments diminished was being repeated.

Medal Loss Felt Like a Pattern of Diminished Accomplishments

Chiles perceived the loss of her medal as a blow not just to her record but also to her spirit, as detailed in her book. She cries upon learning of the revocation and grapples with the reality of having her Olympic achi ...

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Jordan's Olympic Wins and Losses With Medals Stripped

Additional Materials

Actionables

  • You can channel setbacks into diverse interests to build resilience, much like Chiles did with her student-athlete role and being a "dog mom." For instance, if you face a professional disappointment, you might invest more energy into a hobby or volunteer work, which can provide a sense of accomplishment and identity outside of your career.
  • Create a personal "victory log" to document and celebrate your achievements, big or small, to counteract feelings of having accomplishments diminished. Whenever you complete a project, overcome a challenge, or receive positive feedback, jot it down in a notebook or digital document. This can serve as a tangible reminder of your successes, especially during tough times.
  • Develop a support network that acknowledges your effo ...

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'I'm That Girl' follows gymnast Jordan Chiles' road to the Olympics

Jordan's Olympics 2028 Plans

Jordan Chiles is considering the 2028 Summer Olympics in LA but is currently focused on enjoying her college years without too much pressure.

Olympics 2028 Are on Jordan's Radar, but Her Priority Is Enjoying College Without too Much Pressure

Jordan Chiles is not rushing any decisions concerning the 2028 Olympics, emphasizing that she wants to appreciate her time in college first and foremost.

Jordan Claims Lasting Impact on Gymnastics, Challenging Norms Around Expression and Identity

Jordan Chiles feels she has significantly influenced the culture around gymnastics by challenging norms related to expression and identity. She refers to herself having tattoos, lashes, long nails, engaging with the crowd, and incorporating dance into her routine. She believes these aspects have changed perceptions of what a gymnast can embody and how they can express themselves.

Jordan Considering 2028 Olympics but Not Rushing Decisions

Jordan Chiles ackn ...

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Jordan's Olympics 2028 Plans

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Jordan Chiles has made an impact on gymnastics culture by challenging traditional norms related to expression and identity. She incorporates personal elements like tattoos, long nails, and engaging with the crowd, along with dance in her routines, redefining what gymnasts can embody and how they can express themselves.
  • Jordan Chiles incorporating tattoos, lashes, long nails, engaging with the crowd, and dance into her routine is significant because it challenges traditional norms in gymnastics, which have typically focused on a more conservative and uniform appearance. By embracing these elements, she is redefining what it means to be a gymnast and expanding the boundaries of self-expression within the sport. This approach allows her to showcase her individuality and personality, setting her apart from the more conventional expectations in gymnastics performances. Through these choices, Jordan is influencing how gymnasts can express themselves authentically and creatively, contributing to a shift in the perception of gymnastics as a sport that values diversity and personal style.
  • The Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympics is a future multi-sport event scheduled to be held in Los Angeles, California. It will mark the third time the city has hosted the Summer Olympics, with previous editions in 1932 and 1984. The event is expected to feature a wide range of sports and attract athletes from around the world to compete at the highest level. Los A ...

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