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2020 Tokyo Olympics: Jordan Chiles Reveals the ‘Shocking’ Moment She Learned She Was Replacing Simone Biles

One of the most surprising storylines of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics has been the withdrawal of Team USA’s Simone Biles from gymnastics competitions. She first withdrew from the team competition, then pulled out of the individual all-around. Biles did so, she said, in order to take care of her own mental health.

One of the people who was the most surprised by Biles withdrawing was the teammate who replaced her. That teammate was Jordan Chiles. She took the place of Simone Biles in the team competition earlier this week. And, according to The New York Post, Chiles was truly “shocked” by the news that she would be taking the place of the four-time gold medalist.

Chiles was watching on the sidelines during the team competition on Tuesday, July 27. She saw Biles vault, then was paid a visit by Team USA coach Cecile Landi. Landi told her it was time for her to step in for Biles during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics competition.

“I was shocked. I was overwhelmed,” Chiles said.

The gymnast then recounted what happened and how she felt when her coach put her in the competition.

“After (Simone Biles) did her vault, Cecile came over and was like ‘Jordan put your grips on,’” Chiles also said. “I was in so much shock that I didn’t know if she was being serious or not. So I was just putting my grips on like ‘What am I doing?’”

Jordan Chiles Wasn’t the Only Gymnast Who Came Through for Team USA During the 2020 Tokyo Olympics

Jordan Chiles helped Team USA win silver in the women’s gymnastics team competition at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. She is 20 years old and hails from Oregon.

Chiles stepped up in the vault, even though she was “shocked” to be competing at the time. It is not her best event. However, she was awarded a 14.166 for her vault in the team event. That score helped keep Team USA in medal contention.

Jordan Chiles isn’t the only American gymnast who rose to the challenge when her team needed her. Gymnast Suni Lee took part in the floor exercise for Team USA.

Russia won the gold in the women’s gymnastics team competition. Britain earned the bronze medal.

American gymnast Jade Carey replaced Simone Biles in the individual all-around competition.

Simone Biles Still Scheduled to Compete in the Apparatus Finals

Even though she withdrew from both the team competition and the individual all-around at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, fans may still have a chance to watch Simone Biles compete for her country.

The 24-year-old gymnastics icon is still scheduled to compete in the apparatus finals. These will take place from Sunday, Aug. 1, through Tuesday, Aug. 3. The events are the uneven bars, vault, women’s floor routine, and the balance beam.