"I feel like I have the body of an 80-year-old"- Jordan Chiles reflects on her gymnastics career ahead of U.S. Olympic Trials 2024

Jordan Chiles has claimed that she feels her body has become like that of an 80-year-old after a 12-year career in elite gymnastics. The Olympic medalist stumbled into gymnastics by chance, but now, she is one of the favorites to bring a medal for the USA at the Paris Olympics 2024.

Chiles made her elite gymnastics debut at the 2013 American Classic, where she won the bronze medal in the all-around competition. While she didn't win a medal later at the P&G National Championships, Chiles impressed with her all-around brilliance to make it to the USA Junior National Team.

The 23-year-old made her international debut at the 2014 Jesolo Trophy and won the gold medal in her first junior assignment. Chiles made her senior debut three years later at the U.S. Classic 2017, and four years later, she was headed to her first Olympic Games in Tokyo after finishing third at the trials.

After winning the silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics, Jordan Chiles has her eyes set on gold now. Speaking with Elite Daily in an interview, the 23-year-old reflected on her 12-year elite gymnastics career and recalled her early times in the sport.

“At age 11, I went elite and I was the youngest national team member. Then around 13 years old, I was like, ‘Wait, this could actually [help me realize] my dream of going to the Olympics,” she said.

Chiles claimed that there was a vast difference between being a 23-year-old and a 23-year-old gymnast. While revealing that gymnastics had made her body feel like that of an 80-year-old, Chiles added that her sport made people mature at an early age.

“I always explain to people that being 23 and being a 23-year-old gymnast are two different things. I feel like I have the body of an 80-year-old, but my mind is still 18. With my sport, we mature at an early age. Am I mature in the real world? Honestly, I still feel like I’m a little kid," she added.

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Alongside Simone Biles, 27, Jordan Chiles will be one of the oldest gymnasts competing at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials 2024. Being an older competitor in the team, the 23-year-old has the added responsibility of being a leader and supporter for other gymnasts, and she enjoys that.

The benefit of being an older gymnast on the team is the leadership aspect of things. I’ve been there, done that and now I’m like ‘How can I help?’ I’ll be that shoulder to cry on, that friend that gives advice,” she said.

Jordan Chiles won the bronze medal in all-around at the U.S. Classic 2024, which also marked her first meet of the year. She placed fifth with a score of 110.400 at the US Gymnastics Championships 2024. She will now compete at the Olympic Trials scheduled from June 27 and will hope to make it to the five-member Team USA for the Paris Olympics 2024.