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Chiles steps up in Biles' absence, helps Team USA salvage silver medal in Tokyo

The United States was upset by the Russian Olympic Committee for the gold Tuesday

Benjamin Royer

Chiles steps up in Biles' absence, helps Team USA salvage silver medal in Tokyo
Chiles steps up in Biles' absence, helps Team USA salvage silver medal in Tokyo /

This post was updated July 27 at 7:59 p.m.

A second-place finish for Team USA prevented it from becoming three-time defending gold medalists, and while much of the focus has been directed towards Simone Biles' withdrawal, one Bruin's effort helped the Americans avoid disaster.

Less than an hour before the women's gymnastics finals were scheduled to begin, Jordan Chiles was slated to compete on floor and vault. The incoming UCLA freshman ended up competing in all four rotations Tuesday at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics after Biles dropped out in the opening rotation due to mental health concerns.

The unexpected lineup shift and related low scores wound up sinking Team USA, as it lost to the Russian Olympic Committee 169.528-166.096.

Aside from the lack of gold at the end of the tunnel, however, the Americans still made the podium thanks in large part to Chiles' last-second adjustments. After scoring a 14.666 on vault, Chiles picked up the other three events without hesitation and without practice, making a name for herself on the grandest international stage possible.

Chiles' 14.166 on the uneven bars kept her and Team USA in contention, even though they were already trailing the Russian Olympic Committee in overall score due to Biles' poor vault score prior to her departure.

The young Bruin looked focused and prepared as she stepped up to the beam as well. In a discipline she was not supposed to compete in hours earlier, she stepped up and scored a 13.433 on the balance beam to help her squad beat the Russians head-to-head in the event.

Chiles had a shot to complete the comeback on the floor, one of her specialties and most well-regarded disciplines. But instead of pulling off the miracle late, the young gymnast stumbled down the stretch.

She ironically scored a team-worst 11.700 on floor, which dropped the chances of Team USA stealing back gold close to zero.

Chiles had not qualified for the all-around or floor individual finals, narrowly missing  the cut in the latter, meaning this is the end of her Olympic journey in Japan. The next time that Bruin fans will see the freshman gymnast will be in blue and gold at the start of the 2022 season.

Next to go for Bruin gymnasts is rising sophomore Brooklyn Moors. She competes in the all-around final representing Canada on Thursday at 3:50 a.m.

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Benjamin Royer
BENJAMIN ROYER

Benjamin Royer is a contributing writer at All Bruins, in association with the FanNation and Sports Illustrated networks. Royer is a third-year student at UCLA, where he is a Sports contributor for the school's award-winning student-run newspaper, The Daily Bruin. Royer was previously the Sports Editor at The Valley Star, Los Angeles Valley College's independent newspaper, and he helped develop the Twinger Talk YouTube channel and The Double Play podcast. He is also a professional actor, previously appearing in programs on Showtime, ABC, Disney Channel, FOX and CBS.

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