Despite calls for Jordan Chiles to return her medal, the gymnast may not do so as chaos surrounding the incident grows
If gymnastics at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games hasn’t already fascinated you, the goings-on behind the scenes will certainly keep you on your toes.
In gymnastics, the USA won an impressive nine medals at this year’s Olympic Games.
However, Jordan Chiles was ordered to return the bronze medal she received for her performance in the women’s floor final.
After her floor exercise in Paris, Chiles initially received a score of 13.666, which placed her in fifth place. However, when U.S. gymnastics coach Cecile Landi made an inquiry about Chiles’ difficulty level, she received an additional 0.1 point.
Jordan Chiles was awarded the bronze medal for her floor exercise at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. (Tom Weller/VOIGT/GettyImages)
She thus displaced the Romanian Ana Bǎrbosu and the American Sabrina Maneca-Voinea, who had the same number of points, and took third place. She thus won the bronze medal.
However, according to a USA Today report, a few days later the Romanian team argued that the US team’s challenge of Chile’s score came after the permitted window for replaying the match had expired.
When the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upheld the Romanian team’s appeal, Chile and USA Gymnastics could only try to appeal the decision in a last-ditch attempt to keep their medal.
Unfortunately for Chiles, U.S. Olympic officials announced that the CAS had not reconsidered its decision, meaning Chiles was required to return her medal, which was re-awarded to Bǎrbosu.
However, according to reports from USA Today, Chile is unlikely to return the medal at this point and there are “no plans” to do so – but a solution could be found.
Chiles is devastated by the unfortunate situation. (Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
US authorities say they intend to appeal because the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee found “significant procedural errors” on the part of the CAS.
The appeal is expected to go to the Swiss Federal Court.
Chiles, who initially took a break from social media when the consequences of the medal debacle came to light, has returned to Instagram and commented on the situation.
In a social media post on August 15, she said: “I am at a loss for words. This decision feels unfair and is a huge blow, not only to me but to everyone who has supported my journey.”
“To add to the suffering, the unsolicited racist attacks on social media are wrong and extremely hurtful. I have put my heart and soul into this sport and am proud to represent my culture and my country.
“I will never deviate from my values of competing with integrity, striving for excellence, upholding the values of sportsmanship and the rules that dictate fairness. I am proud to cheer for anyone, regardless of team or country.
“Finding joy again has been a culture shift and I’m happy when others embrace that joy. I feel like I’ve given everyone permission to be who they are.
“I am now facing one of the most difficult moments of my career. Believe me, I have had many. I will approach this challenge like others – and do everything in my power to ensure justice is done.
“I believe that at the end of this journey, the people who are in control will do the right thing.”
