Jordan Chiles Reacts to Her and Simone Biles Being 2nd and 1st After U.S. Olympic Trials Day 2: ‘I Love It’

Jordan Chiles is so proud of her teammate Simone Biles.

After Day 2 of the 2024 U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Trials in Minneapolis, the gymnast tells PEOPLE and other reporters how she feels about finishing second in the all-around behind Biles, a seven-time Olympic medalist.

“I love it. It was like that last time [at the U.S. Classic],” Chiles, 23, said on Friday, June 28, referring to the 2021 race in Indianapolis where she finished second to Biles, 27.

“It feels like we’re doing this all over again because we are, so I’m very proud of her,” added Chiles, nodding to the current standings, with Biles in first (58,900) and Chiles close behind (56,400).

Simone Biles competes on Day 2 of the USA Olympic Gymnastics Trials on June 28, 2024.

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“She’s someone I’ll always look up to, no matter what she’s up to in life – whether it’s gymnastics [or] just life in general,” Chiles continues.

Chiles, who won a silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics as part of the US gymnastics team, also says Biles is her role model.

“She’s someone I’ve definitely tried to follow [in her] steps and she did magnificently,” she explains. “I am very proud of her and that I stand behind her. It just makes me more confident.”

The American team will be named on June 30, when tryouts are over.

Jordan Chiles celebrates on the second day of the USA Olympic Gymnastics Trials on June 28, 2024.

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Chiles also emphasizes how she remembers to have fun in a stressful environment — and her method is super relatable.

“It was a little rough this morning during our practice and I was like, ‘What am I doing? I’m thinking too much. I’m too stressed. Why am I doing this?’ ” she says.

“So the whole time I was getting ready, we were vibing, we were listening to music,” Chiles tells PEOPLE and other reporters, citing Megan Thee Stallion, Beyoncé and GloRilla as her current artists. “I thought, ‘OK, you know what? If these girls can kill like this, I can go out there and kill like them.’ ”

Chiles previously told PEOPLE about her namesake, NBA legend Michael Jordan. The Olympian’s mom, Gina, has always been a big fan of Jordan (61): “She felt the inspiration he gave her, and that was a really big and beautiful thing.”

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She just decided, ‘You know what? I’m going to make my child after him and see where life takes her,’ Chiles said.

He hopes to one day meet the NBA icon for a moment.

“I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I can actually meet him and get his advice to be someone who looks up to him, what he gives,” she added.

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Source: HIS Education