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via Reuters

via Reuters

The Paris Olympics were meant to be another chance for Jordan Chiles to prove her mettle on the world’s grandest stage. In fact, the Final Five had named this stint their redemption tour. And boy, did they rightfully claim what was theirs. The 23-year-old bagged an Olympic gold in the team all-around finals. She then moved on to the women’s individual floor finals, hoping to bag another shiny piece of hardware. But that’s where things fell apart. 

After placing fifth at the end of the night, an appeal by her coach catapults her to the #3. However, she didn’t get to revel in Olympic glory for too long. She was asked to return her medal to the official bronze medalist, Ana Barbosu, by the CAS. However, the Olympian has found a way to move past that heartbreak by keeping busy. Now that the Gold Over America Tour is done and dusted, she shared a few remarkable insights at a massive event. What did she say?

What does financial freedom mean for Jordan Chiles?

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The business mogul and Shark Tank star Daymond John unveiled his fifth annual Black Entrepreneurs Day on November 22. Taking place at Atlanta’s Fox Theatre, the live event boasted a stellar lineup of celebrity guests, one of them being the 23-year-old. As the duo discuss financial freedom, John asks the Olympian what it truly means for her“I’m always about love. I’m always about, you know, having fun, being authentic to the person you are, and if I can give that to as many people as I can, then that’s what I’ll do,” Jordan Chiles confessed. 

 

However, the 23-year-old reiterates that this has been one of the driving forces behind her decisions. “I’m all about giving back, and I think that’s the biggest thing that I was able to establish when I was younger,” she admitted. The gymnast has previously worked with the homeless. She had even partnered with Mission Tiger, supporting Kellogg Company’s mission to bring sports funding to middle schools. But it doesn’t just end there. She has also never shied away from speaking out about mental health-related matters. 

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The Olympian exclaimed that she always wanted to ensure that everyone would be okay in their life. However, the perfect illusion shattered as soon as she got older. “Everybody doesn’t live in a utopia, and I think understanding where, you know, the financial freedom is being able to give back in many ways. Whether it’s to hospitals, whether it’s to, you know, kids in need of education, whether it’s just things that people need,” she stated. 

What’s your perspective on:

Is Jordan Chiles' focus on giving back more valuable than Olivia Dunne's financial success?

Have an interesting take?

Jordan Chiles drove this point home by stating how getting herself a few designer bags doesn’t count as financial freedom. While it is something that will immediately bring one joy, her idea of freedom doesn’t seem to be the same. She recently put her own Leos on sale, hoping that several girls get to live their gymnastics dreams through this. Her mother shared the link to the website selling her impeccable worn-in outfits, which would also be signed by the Olympian. But now that the games are long gone, what’s next on her radar? 

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The 23-year-old is on a mission

The gymnast’s tumultuous experience in the French capital left her heartbroken. Yet, this also brought up another exciting opportunity. Shortly after returning to the States, she announced that she would return to UCLA for her fifth and final season. With the exposure she gained in Paris, her chances for sponsorships and marketing deals grew exponentially.

Given that Jordan Chiles is a standout student at UCLA, she has aided the university’s efforts to help women athletes breakthrough in the world of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) earnings. While most men often steal the spotlight, Jordan Chiles looks forward to shaking things up.

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The 23-year-old is a 2x Olympian and a Paris Olympic gold medalist, so this will help bring up the marketing quotient of the NCAA. However, there’s just one thing. Even though the Olympian has a stacked list of accolades, she still trails behind Olivia Dunne when it comes to finance. 

Livvy Dunne has been on top of the NCAA charts for quite some time now. She led LSU to their very first NCAA championship this year, further contributing to her standing. In terms of NIL deals, the gymnast is valued at a staggering $4 million. As for Jordan Chiles? She currently is valued at $318k. With her much-anticipated return to collegiate gymnastics, it will be exciting to see her climb up the ranks. Will you be watching?

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