Konnor McClain, Savannah Guthrie, Jordan Chiles, and Shilese Jones in front of the Eiffel Tower. (Photo courtesy USA Gymnastics.)
The iconic trio of Jordan Chiles, Shilese Jones, and Konnor McClain, who became the first female black gymnasts to sweep the podium at the 2022 OOFOS U.S. Gymnastics Championships, joined The Today Show live from Paris this morning.
U.S. Olympic broadcaster NBC and the gymnasts were in the City of Lights for press and promos for the “Countdown to Paris” — beginning to build the anticipation for next summer’s event.
With the Eiffel Tower behind them, the 2024 Olympic hopefuls and already decorated gymnasts sat down with Savannah Guthrie to discuss their own personal journeys and motivation as they aim for the Games.
“It means the world coming back for the second go round. And just being one spot short [of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic team],” Jones said on the show. “So many goals have passed, and this is just like my one big goal, so hopefully, I can finally have it in my hands.”
Both Jones and McClain lost their fathers in 2021, and McClain also faced a back injury in 2022 and early 2023 that put her training on hold. She’s just recently returned to training and plans to return to elite competition later this year.
McClain and Jones both spoke about how their families motivate them to keep pushing to reach this goal.
“…doing it for myself and my family and especially my dad,” said McClain. “And just making it through and pushing through.”
With so much more to show the world, the two will be ones to watch as the journey to Paris 2024 ramps up.
“I know there’s still more for me to prove out there,” Jones reflected. “I want to accomplish so much more.”
As for the Olympic medalist of the trio, Chiles shared, that this time around, she is focused on doing what she loves and having fun while doing so.
“Honestly, I did go to Tokyo and had that huge heroic moment, but coming into this next year, I’m just gonna have fun — enjoy every single moment that I have,” said Chiles. “I’ve done it once before, so I’m just out here seeing if I can do it again. And, you know, live life how I should be living it — just enjoying and having fun.”
Watch the full feature below.
