"I had unfinished business"- Jordan Chiles makes her stance clear on making a comeback in the NCAA season after Paris Olympics success

Jordan Chiles returned to UCLA for her junior season after a brief hiatus, driven by a determination to leave a lasting legacy. She recently cited her return to 'unfinished business' and reaffirmed her commitment to collegiate gymnastics.

The gold medalist stepped away from UCLA to prepare for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Now, at the 2025 NCAA Women's Gymnastics season, which commenced on January 3, she marked her return with a standout performance in her first event since the break.

In an interview with ESPN in January 2025, the gold medalist opened up about her motivation to contribute to UCLA's success. Her goals include winning a national championship with the team and solidifying her individual achievements. Alongside these aspirations, she emphasized her desire to savor her collegiate experience and enhance her legacy at UCLA. Reflecting on her return, she said:

"I had unfinished business. I know you're probably thinking, 'Jordan, you have NCAA titles, what do you have left to prove?' But I want to be able to win a natty with this team and at least come back with individual titles as well. I felt like there was something missing and I knew my story wasn't over."

Chiles also shared that her decision extended beyond athletic milestones. After competing in the Gold Over America Tour following her Olympic success, she faced the unique challenge of balancing national commitments with her collegiate ambitions. While her teammates trained on campus, she traveled extensively across the country, making occasional visits to UCLA.

This balancing act between national and collegiate commitments showcased Chiles' determination to complete her unfinished business from the 2024 Paris Games.

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Jordan Chiles' Bronze Medal Controversy during the 2024 Paris Games

Simone Biles, Rebecca Andrade, and Jordan Chiles at Gymnastics during the Paris 2024 Olympics. - Source: Getty

Jordan Chiles faced a significant setback during the 2024 Paris Olympics. In the women's floor exercise final, she initially placed fifth. However, after Team USA submitted a successful inquiry regarding her routine's difficulty score, her ranking was elevated to third, earning her the bronze medal. This achievement placed her on her historic all-Black podium alongside Simone Biles and Rebecca Andrade.

However, the celebration was short-lived. The Romanian Gymnastics Federation contested the timing of the US inquiry, asserting it was submitted beyond the permitted one-minute window. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) reviewed the appeal and determined that the inquiry had been lodged four seconds late.

Consequently, CAS recommended that the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) revert Chiles' score to its original value. This adjustment reinstated Romanian gymnast Ana Bǎrbosu to the bronze medal position, relegating Chiles to fifth place and stripping her of the medal.

This ruling left Jordan Chiles without her medal and a sense of unfinished business. Returning to the UCLA Bruins, she is now focused on redemption, aiming to achieve both personal and professional milestones.