Jordan Chiles And Olivia Dunne Named Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Cover Stars

HOLLYWOOD, FLORIDA – MAY 20: Olivia “Livvy” Dunne attends as Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Celebrates ... More the 2023 Issue Release with Swimsuit Island at The Guitar Hotel at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on May 20, 2023 in Hollywood, Florida. (Photo by Alberto Tamargo/Getty Images for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit) Gymnasts are in the headlines again – this time, they’re cover stars. Olympic gold medalist Jordan Chiles and former NCAA gymnast and influencer Olivia ‘Livvy’ Dunne were named cover stars for the 2025 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. With their selections, the two gymnasts mark the first from their sport to act as cover stars for the publication since its founding in 1964. Athletes Naomi Osaka (2021), Alex Morgan (2019), and Ronda Rousey (2016) starred on previous covers. The two gymnasts were among four women selected as cover stars along with famed actress Salma Hayek Pinault and model and activist Lauren Chan. Sports Illustrated touts the four stars as “indisputably inspiring individuals.” Editor In Chief MH Day attested to their selection in her Editor’s Letter. “These women are why we do what we do,” Day wrote. “These stories we share here and on our platforms are about so much more than what meets the eye. They are about the power of authenticity, the strength of vulnerability, and the beauty of living a life that’s unapologetically yours.” Sports Illustrated argues that Jordan Chiles embodies the spirit of resilience, attributing her nomination to her persistence amidst immense adversity. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 10: Jordan Chiles attends the Gold House 4th Annual Gold Gala at The ... More Music Center on May 10, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images for Gold House) Chiles’ ‘why’ is written in every comeback, every leap, every time she shows up for herself and her team,” the editor shares. “Resilience is her trademark, and it’s why she stands as a symbol of strength—not just physical, but emotional. Jordan is showing us all that perseverance and joy can coexist in powerful ways.” On top of her Olympic, World, and NCAA titles, Jordan Chiles stands for persistence on and off the mat, citing her role as “a body positivity and mental health advocate.” Chiles’s cover is a surprise development in her debut with the magazine, an opportunity which she describes as “a dream come true.” The 24-year-old burst was shocked while learning the news. Forbes Olympic Gymnast Fred Richard Sets Guinness World Record By Caroline Price Chiles told People “I literally started bawling my eyes out,” when she first reviewed her photos for the issue. “I’ve embraced every single aspect of who I am and I’ve embraced the amazing body that I have,” she says, adding that she used to call herself “ugly almost every day. Today, she celebrates the confidence she’s gained along the way. “Your girl—that girl—is on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2025,” Chiles proudly shared. Regarding Dunne’s selection, Sports Illustrated credits her landmark achievements in collegiate name, image, and likeness (NIL). Before Dunne retired from competition in April, she was the highest-earning female athlete in NCAA sports. “Dunne’s ‘why’ goes far beyond the floor and bars—it’s about changing the game for athletes everywhere,” Day shares. “She was one of the first to leverage the power of name, image and likeness deals, building a brand that’s both financially successful and rooted in showing the real Livvy.” “She’s not just a social media sensation; she’s a pioneering force who has created opportunities for herself and, by extension, countless other athletes by demonstrating how to navigate the intersection of sports, business and digital influence.” Dunne’s appearance in the 2025 issue marks her third consecutive year with Sports Illustrated Swimsuit and her first as a cover star. Upon learning the news, an emotional Dunne thanked the team for “making [her] dreams come true.” Forbes Simone Biles And Olivia Dunne Headlined The Kentucky Derby — Why It Mattered By Caroline Price Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolineprice/2025/05/13/jordan-chiles-and-olivia-dunne-named-sports-illustrated-swimsuit-cover-stars/