"I wanted to be able to bring the art back" - Jordan Chiles explains her viral Prince-themed routine to lead UCLA to win at the Collegiate Quad meet

Jordan Chiles cited her intentions to bring the art back into college gymnastics as her main reason for returning to the University of California, Los Angeles, which happened with a viral floor exercise performance. The American gymnast won her maiden gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Chiles was speaking in an interview with ESPN and revealed that her Prince-themed floor exercise performance was inspired by her decision to bring the 'art' back into college gymnastics. The Olympic champion also added that she wanted to turn the Sprouts Farmers Market Collegiate Quad meet into a concert for fans.

"Honestly, when we started working on this, I thought, 'If I'm coming back, I want to come back with a banger'. I don't want to come back and be like, 'Oh hey guys, I am back.' No, I want to come back with something that people are going to enjoy.

"Artistic gymnastics is very known for just the gymnastics part, and I wanted to be able to bring the art back into the sport, and so I felt like Prince was the best thing to do for that. Who wouldn't want to be able to sit and eat their popcorn at a gymnastics meet and feel like you're at his concert?" Jordan Chiles added.

Chiles scored an impressive 9.975 for her floor routine which was set to the medley of songs by Prince. The 23-year-old also impressed on the vault and uneven bars, scoring 9.850 and 9.925 respectively to make a significant contribution to UCLA's team score of 197.550.

The Bruins took first place in the third and final session while Kentucky finished second in 196.500. Ohio State finished third with 196.425 while Arkansas scored 195.875 for a last-place finish.

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Jordan Chiles makes her feelings known following the dominant performance at the Sprouts Farmers Market Collegiate Quad meet

UCLA Gymnastics' "Meet The Bruins" - Jordan Chiles in action - Source: Getty

Jordan Chiles was elated after leading the UCLA Bruins to an impressive win at the Sprouts Farmers Market Collegiate Quad meet in Oklahoma City on Saturday. The 23-year-old appreciated the support of the fans and dedicated the victory to victims of the Los Angeles fires.

To every single person in LA, we love you guys. Thank you guys so much for supporting us. We want to support you in every way, shape or form. We’re praying, we love you guys,” Jordan Chiles said.

Chiles joined the Bruins in the 2022 season and while she didn't win any medals during the rookie season, the two-time Olympic medalist secured three medals in the 2023 NCAA Championships. She won the floor exercise and uneven bars titles and a silver medal in the all-around finals and would now be eager to win her first team title with the Bruins.