1-on-1 with Olympian Jordan Chiles ahead of NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championships at Dickies Arena

FORT WORTH, Texas — In under two years, Jordan Chiles has competed across the world —from the 2024 Paris Olympics to Cowtown. 

Chiles, a two-time Olympian and World Champion, is back on the mat with her UCLA gymnastics team to compete in the 2025 NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championships in Fort Worth this week. 

“It’s been really fun,” Chiles said in an interview with WFAA on Wednesday. “We’re grinding, we’re striving, and we’re just trying to make it to the top.”

Eight college teams are vying for one title. LSU defending champs are returning to Dickies Arena in Fort Worth to protect the crown. The fierce semi-finals competition kicks off Thursday, and the championship is on Saturday.

Among the Olympians competing this year are Chiles, Utah’s Grace McCallum and Oregon State’s Jade Carey.

Dickies Arena will host the NCAA Women’s National Collegiate Gymnastics Championship through 2027, according to Fort Worth Sports Commission Executive Director Jason Sands.

“They are world-class, we’re in a world-class venue, world-class city, it’s just going to be a great weekend in Fort Worth,” Sands said. Every year, the championship has gotten bigger. More people are coming to it, more excitement. Our city really rallies around this championship to make it the best that it can be.”

On Wednesday, the athletes were welcomed to Dickies arena with a gifting suite featuring products made by Texas-owned companies.

Chiles, who celebrated her 24th on Tuesday, reflected on what the future could hold for her athletic career when asked how she’s feeling.

“Mentally, amazing. Physically, as well, taking it day by day. I’m getting older in the gymnastics era, but just focusing on what I can do mentally, physically and emotionally,” Chiles said.

Full interview:

Chiles is looking onward and upward after she was stripped of her bronze medal, one of the most controversial moments during the 2024 Paris Olympics. 

She put the controversy behind her by returning to UCLA gymnastics.

“I feel like I was missing something,” Chiles said. “I felt like I had more to give to the Bruin family. I felt like I could put myself in that position to get us to that next level, so I came back and wanted to strive and support them.” 

Chiles remains undecided on whether she’ll compete in the 2028 Olympics, which will be held in Los Angeles.

“Right now, my focus is to finish the season off really strong, then I have another year at UCLA… so that is a two-year gap in between the Olympics and college, so we’ll see what happens. You never know,” Chiles said.

Top athletes among the eight teams who share a lifetime of goals will compete this week, including Carrollton’s very own Chae Campbell, an eight-time All-American with UCLA gymnastics.

“It’s really just a full circle moment for me,” Campbell said.

As a young girl, she dreamed of one day being a Bruin.

“My club gym is not too far from here, and for my family to be here for my last competition, it really means the world,” Campbell said.

There’s a long list of standout stars under one roof, but only one team will get the crown.