"I was a typical Black girl thinking she was white" - Jordan Chiles opens up on her struggles as an upcoming gymnast

Jordan Chiles recently shared that she grew up thinking she was white since she attended a predominantly white school. The reality of her situation didn't hit her until later in her teenage years, when she learnt to embrace her Black identity.

Chiles made her international debut at the 2013 American Classic, but her love for gymnastics developed at a very young age. She stepped into the gymnastic training mat at age seven, and said that her parents couldn't stop her from cartwheeling down the aisle of any open space. She was also drawn to walking on her hands instead of her feet.

Chiles grew up in a predominantly white school, so at the time she did not think of herself as a 'Black girl.' She said she learned to navigate her Black identity and embrace her beauty eventually as life progressed.

"I went to a predominantly white school growing up, so I was a typical Black girl thinking she was white. I had to be able to figure out how to embrace myself and my beauty," said Jordan (via Harpers Bazaar).

At 17, Chiles was on the verge of quitting gymnastics after an abusive experience with her coach, who called her "double head" for her afro hairstyle.

"I wanted to be done, because I didn’t think ... the sport wanted me. I didn’t think people around me wanted to see this beautiful Black girl in a [leotard] anymore," said Chiles (via NBC).

Chiles also shared that she was body-shamed to such an extent that those experiences continue to trouble her.

"I was body-shamed when I was younger. I’m overcoming that trauma," said Chiles (via Elite Daily).

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Jordan Chiles joined Brown Girls Do Gymnastics to voice the concerns of Black athletes

2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Gymnastics - Day 4

Jordan Chiles went through a turbulent time when she was younger and had thoughts of quitting the sport. But she persevered, and now helps expand opportunities for Black athletes to shine in the sporting world.

In 2018, the 23-year-old Olympian teamed up with Brown Girls Do Gymnastics, an organization that intends to increase the visibility of gymnasts of color.

Chiles uses her global fame to endorse the non-profit organization's mission of helping historically Black colleges and universities to launch gymnastics teams.

"The diversity part of everything, I like giving back to any community. I’m a giver. This is my love language. So knowing that I have the ability to help fund or do anything to support their foundation definitely makes me feel so heart-like," said Chiles (via NBC).

The Olympian will head to the 2024 Paris Olympics after finishing third behind Simone Biles and Suni Lee at the 2024 US Gymnastics Trials.