Who said competitors can’t be friends? Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles are the perfect example of a persisting friendship despite their cutthroat professional rivalry. The two stellar gymnasts compete for Team USA and are among the five who qualified for the Paris Olympics. The duo have always stood by in solidarity with each other through thick and thin. In various stages of life, Simone Biles’ best friend, Jordan, was seen praising her masthead Biles for her undulating support through professional stand ins or in Biles’ mental health journey. Chiles was even seen cheering for Biles on the grounds of the Olympic trails as the gymnastic queen gears up for her Olympic dream after refraining from the Tokyo season because of her mental health.
Simone Biles is in red hot form this time around, vanquishing all her demons. However, after a mental health break, her performance thrilled the audiences when Biles returned to the mat with a power-packed comeback at the 2023 World Athletics Championship. Gymnastic fans and esteemed platforms like ESPY celebrated and honored her with the ‘best comeback performance of the year.’ and rightly so. To add a cherry on top of this cake, Simone Biles’ best friend’s mother couldn’t help but toast to Biles’ victory.
GOAT Simone Biles’ is a phoenix from the ashes
After two years of mental breaks and mindfulness, the legendary Simone Biles returned with a bang! Her qualification to the Paris Olympics with the highest score of 117.225 in the US Olympic trials has added to her repertoire, based on which ESPY has honored her with ‘Best Comeback of the Year.’ Nellie Biles, the mother of Simone Biles, shared a tweet on X congratulating Biles on the prestigious honor. Mother Biles captioned the post as “ESPY come back Athlete of the year award WAY to go Simone.” Not just Nellie, but someone else clamored for the gymnastic sensation. It was Gina Chiles! Simone Biles’ best friend and teammate Jordan Chiles’ mother. Gina Chiles commented on Nellie’s post, applauding Simone’s comeback, as she penned down in the comment section, “Amazing and deserved!!”
Simone Biles had no choice but to withdraw her name from the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 due to the debilitating twisties. The Olympian claimed to be taking some time off for her mental health, but she also assured that her issues wouldn’t cost her team a medal in prestigious games like the Olympics. Biles’ actions immediately split the public forum into two factions, with some supporting her and others deriding her for being a “quitter.” She made headlines after recovering from her ‘twisties’ trauma and her head held high, she is sure to strike gold. Jordan Chiles, though, doffs her hat .
Mental health has come across as a major issue for sports personalities from time to time. And they have been outspoken about it. One such incident was shared with audiences when Jordan Chiles revealed in an interview with People that she was thinking of ending her gymnastics career. The episode dates back to 2018, when Jordan couldn’t make it to Team USA. Disappointed by the whole event, she was on the verge of questioning her potential. Chiles quotes, “I don’t think this sport really wants me.” Jordan adds that it was the decision to move to Texas and Simone Biles who changed her outlook on the game. Jordan mentions, “I discovered that gymnastics doesn’t always have to be about strictness. I actually realized this when I saw Simone compete. She looks like she’s having fun out there, laughing and giggling.”
Jordan revealed that it was the supportive environment of Texas, the coaching guidance, and the camaraderie of Simone that saved her career as she developed a newfound love for gymnastics. Chiles’ and Biles’ bond has been an example of support and friendship that lasts. On events, Chiles never hesitated to celebrate Simone Biles and her comeback, as she declared, “ know this comeback for her is about to be the biggest comeback that’s ever been known, and I’m really excited to see where this year takes her. Paris … this is her time. Paris is definitely going to be something that everybody is just going to be in awe because this girl has dedicated a lot to this.” This quote, ‘When you do good, you get good,‘ likely describes Simone Biles’ actions, and it’s no wonder she’s so famous!
