Athlete of the week: Jordan Chiles

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – The road to Tokyo could very well go through Vancouver, Washington, as Jordan Chiles of Prairie High School got back on the gymnastics stage after more than a year late last month and blew everyone away.

For the now 19-year-old, it’s been a roller coaster ride for the past 18 months. It all started in October 2019 when she had wrist surgery.

“It was a little difficult at first, but I got my strength back in my wrist and then the flexibility and all that stuff,” she said.

A few months later, the sports world stopped spinning as the COVID-19 pandemic raged on. After Tokyo was postponed to 2021, Chiles focused on just getting well.

“This quarantine recovery time definitely helped with my wrist surgery,” said Chiles. “It was a little difficult to come back first so it definitely helped.”

But when Chiles came back, she stole the show. She won the Winter Cup in late February when she was fighting for one of four places on the USA squad in Tokyo.

“I definitely had the best experience of my life because we hadn’t competed in a year and a half. So it was definitely an experience that I loved and was, being out there and feeling all the energy from the girls, the coaches and everyone out there. I’m glad I could have that, ”she said.

Chiles will take part in the World Championships in May with her friend and gold medalist Simone Biles.

“Hopefully everyone will see this 100% through exams and the Olympics.”