Wisevoter
U.S.

Jordan Chiles Targets 2028 Olympic Return

The decorated gymnast announced plans to compete in the 2028 Los Angeles Games following her collegiate career at UCLA.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Gymnastics

Dynamic brush-stroke illustration of a gymnast performing a mid-air maneuver, capturing the movement and energy of elite competition.
Gymnast Jordan Chiles announced her intention to compete in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games following her collegiate career at UCLA. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you believe an athlete's success should be measured more by personal goals than official medals?

In September 2026, Jordan Chiles announced her intention to pursue a spot in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Chiles aims to challenge traditional retirement timelines for female gymnasts by extending her athletic career.

Why it matters

By returning to the sport, Chiles seeks to push the boundaries of her athletic potential while redefining expectations for longevity in elite gymnastics. She explicitly points to the enduring careers of athletes like LeBron James as inspiration for her ongoing development.

Chiles earned 23 All-America honors and four NCAA titles during her tenure at UCLA, solidifying her status as a top competitor. She also claimed the 2026 AAI Award, a prestigious honor recognizing excellence in collegiate gymnastics.

The players

Jordan Chiles

Jordan Chiles is a decorated gymnast who won four NCAA titles and 23 All-America honors during her collegiate career at UCLA.

Ana Maria Bărbosu

Ana Maria Bărbosu is a gymnast who was awarded the bronze medal in the floor exercise after the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled against Chiles in 2024.

Court of Arbitration for Sport

The Court of Arbitration for Sport is the international body responsible for resolving sports-related disputes through arbitration.

The details

Chiles decided to continue her career because she believes she has not yet reached her upper athletic limit. She draws inspiration from the long careers of professional basketball players like Michael Jordan and LeBron James to justify competing at age 25 and beyond.

Timeline

  1. August 10, 2024: The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled on the timing of Chiles' Paris Olympic inquiry.

  2. 2026: Jordan Chiles received the AAI Award.

  3. September 2026: Chiles announced her intent to compete in the 2028 Olympic Games.

  4. October 20, 2026: Forbes released a video featuring Chiles discussing her comeback.

  5. 2028: The Los Angeles Olympic Games are scheduled to take place.

Season Trajectory

The 2024 Paris Olympic floor exercise medal dispute established the ruling that Chiles' inquiry was four seconds late, which frames the context of her current career path. Her decision to compete again marks a significant departure from typical retirement cycles, potentially altering the competitive field for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

Chiles' return places her back in the cycle for major international qualification events leading up to the 2028 Games. Fans should monitor her status for upcoming national training camps and potential appearances at major collegiate-adjacent exhibition events.

The takeaway

Jordan Chiles is challenging the conventional athletic age ceiling by actively planning a future appearance at the 2028 Olympics. Her career transition serves as a case study for older athletes who seek to maintain competitive performance well beyond the typical retirement age.

Further reading

For more on the latest developments in the sport, explore the Gymnastics section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by EssentiallySports.

Live Poll

Do you believe an athlete's success should be measured more by personal goals than official medals?