Simone Biles is standing by her friend and teammate Jordan Chiles as she faces a difficult situation following the 2024 Paris Olympics. Chiles is dealing with the fallout after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) sided with two Romanian gymnasts who contested her score in the floor final, putting her bronze medal at risk.
In an interview with PEOPLE, Biles shared how she’s been supporting Chiles throughout this challenging time. “We’ve been FaceTiming, texting—just staying connected,” Biles, 27, said. “I told her, ‘Jordan, it’s okay to feel everything you’re feeling. It’s the best way to work through it.’”
Biles, who is a strong advocate for mental health, wants to make sure Chiles knows she’s not alone in this. “Jordan is still that amazing gymnast we all know, no matter what happens,” she added.
Speaking about the situation, Biles didn’t hold back her frustration. “It’s a tough situation because this kind of thing hasn’t happened before. We wish all three gymnasts could keep their medals, but that’s not how it works in gymnastics,” she explained. “Do we think they followed the right procedures to reach this decision? No. That’s why we want justice for Jordan, and we’re going to keep supporting her and lifting her up.”
Biles also highlighted Chiles’ positive qualities, praising her “personality, determination, and heart,” all of which will be on display during the upcoming Gold Across America Tour. The tour, headlined by Biles, will feature Chiles along with other top gymnasts from Team USA.
While Biles is taking some time to rest an injury—she’s currently wearing a boot—she’s making sure to keep Chiles’ spirits high.
“I know she’s not super active on social media, so I’ve been sending her things that might cheer her up,” Biles shared. “Just little things, like a meme or a message, to let her know she’s got support from everywhere.”
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