There is a gymnast who won’t be taking the floor today in the individual women’s all-around final.
Due to a rule that only allows two athletes from each country to compete, she will have to sit this one out. But there’s no way you’ll be able to miss her—“That Girl” will be right there next to her teammates, cheering them on in the way only she can.
Every woman deserves to have a Jordan Chiles in her corner.
THAT GIRL.
That Girl who is unabashedly, unapologetically herself. That Girl who not only brings joy, confidence, and incredible skill to her performances, but lifts the entire team with her encouragement and support. That Girl who is the ultimate hype girl, the consummate team player, the loyal friend who dances and laughs and loudly cheers.
There is absolutely nothing contrived or fake about her—she’s not performing for the views or the likes—her reputation as the queen of positive affirmation has followed her for years and is echoed by her teammates. I watched a video today where she literally paced alongside Simone Biles during Simone’s floor routine during the Olympic Trials, shouting encouragement and praise. And during the team finals yesterday when Simone dominated the vault, the same event that had derailed her three years ago in Tokyo with the “twisties,” Jordan leapt up and down with elation.
Not only is Jordan Chiles an incredible hype woman, but when it’s her turn, she shows up! She set the entire tone for the USA in the team finals, leading the way in three of the four events. She catapulted into her vault, earning a standing ovation. After she nailed her routine on the uneven bars she leaned her head back and roared in the direction of her teammates, “LET’S GOOOO!”
That Girl knows what a comeback looks like. Even after she fell off the beam, she kept her composure, got back up, hit a triple series of a handspring, layout, layout, finished strong, and stuck that landing with a resounding thud.
And as she began her final floor routine, she raised her right fist triumphantly in the air, stared straight at the camera, and gave a wink. Because she already knew she was going to absolutely crush it.
Jordan brought her very best, EVEN knowing she would not be competing today. She took one for the team, and still showed up for them.
One thing is for sure—you can never count That Girl out, and you can always count ON her.
Every woman deserves to have a Jordan Chiles in her corner, and every woman should aspire to be a Jordan Chiles for someone else.
Originally published on the author’s Facebook page
by Aliette Silva 
by Her View From Home 
