Jordan Chiles is no stranger to sticking the landing — but at this year’s Sports Illustrated Swimsuit runway show during Miami Swim Week, the Olympic gymnast literally flipped the script.
While strutting down the runway in an all-white, Western-inspired bikini complete with a cowboy hat, Chiles didn’t just model, she performed. The 4-foot-11 powerhouse capped off her walk with a front flip that sent the crowd into an uproar.
See below.
Chiles, 24, looked stunning as she showcased her chiseled, athletic frame, proudly revealing her tattoos — including a waist tat that symbolizes her journey from elite gymnast to Sports Illustrated cover star.
Her runway appearance coincides with her being one of four cover stars gracing the 2025 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue — alongside Salma Hayek, Lauren Chan, and fellow gymnast Livvy Dunne.
On Instagram, Chiles summed up her moment with a Beyoncé-esque quote: “this ain’t Texas, wait…. we in Miami turning up another notch,” while thanking the SI Swimsuit team for the opportunity to walk in her very first Swim Week.
Chiles’ modeling moment comes as a celebration, as it follows the 2024 Olympics where she initially placed third, but had her bronze medal retracted following a controversial scoring review. Initially, her floor routine earned a 13.666 — placing her fifth — but after her coach successfully challenged the score, it was bumped up to 13.766, landing her on the podium. That was until the Romanian Gymnastics Federation disputed the timing of the inquiry, claiming it missed the one-minute window.
Romania’s appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport was successful, and Chiles was forced to give up her medal. Team USA attempted to fight the decision, but their appeal fell flat. In a statement shared with fans, Chiles didn’t hold back about the pain and injustice of the outcome.
“I am overwhelmed by the love I have received over the past few days. I am also incredibly grateful to my family, teammates, coaches, fans, USAG, and the USOPC for their unwavering support during this difficult time,” she wrote. “I have no words. This decision feels unjust and comes as a significant blow, not just to me, but to everyone who has championed my journey.”
“To add to the heartbreak, the unprompted racially driven attacks on social media are wrong and extremely hurtful,” she continued. “I’ve poured my heart and soul into this sport and I am so proud to represent my culture and my country.”
— Jordan Chiles (@ChilesJordan) August 15, 2024
Take a look at Jordan Chiles having her runway moment above and more fire flicks of her during the Sports Illustrated swim runway below.
Leave a comment