Jordan Chiles stripped of Olympics gymnastics bronze medal, but USOPC says it will appeal

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Paris 2024 Olympics - Gymnastics Podium Ceremony
Photo by Abaca Press/INSTARimages

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) declared on Sunday (Aug. 11, 2024) that the bronze medal initially awarded to American gymnast Jordan Chiles for the floor exercise at the Paris Games will now go to her Romanian rival, Ana Bฤƒrbosu.

This decision follows a Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruling on Saturday (Aug. 10, 2024). The CAS stated that the USAโ€™s initial inquiry about Chilesโ€™ score in Mondayโ€™s gymnastics floor exercise final was submitted after the one-minute deadline had passed.

The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) announced that Chilesโ€™ original score of 13.666 would be reinstated. Consequently, Bฤƒrbosuโ€™s ranking, with a score of 13.700, would be upgraded to third place.

The IOC confirmed that this score change means Chiles will lose her bronze medal, which will be given to Bฤƒrbosu instead.

โ€œFollowing the CAS decision with regard to the Womenโ€™s Artistic Gymnastics Floor Exercise Final and the amendment of the ranking by the International Gymnastics Federation, the IOC will reallocate the bronze medal to Ana Barbosu (Romania),โ€ the IOC said in the statement.

โ€œWe are in touch with the NOC of Romania to discuss the reallocation ceremony and with USOPC regarding the return of the bronze medal.โ€

On Sunday, the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee announced its intention to appeal the decision.

โ€œWe firmly believe that Jordan rightfully earned the bronze medal, and there were critical errors in both the initial scoring by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) and the subsequent CAS appeal process that need to be addressed,โ€ the statement read.

Paris 2024 Olympics - Gymnastics Podium Ceremony
Team United States smile on the podium at the Artistic Gymnastics Womenโ€™s Floor Exercise Medal Ceremony on day ten of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on August 05, 2024 in Paris, France. Photo by Abaca Press/INSTARimages

โ€œThe initial error occurred in the scoring by FIG, and the second error was during the CAS appeal process, where the USOPC was not given adequate time or notice to effectively challenge the decision. As a result, we were not properly represented or afforded the opportunity to present our case comprehensively.

โ€œGiven these circumstances, we are committed to pursuing an appeal to help Jordan Chiles receive the recognition she deserves. We remain dedicated to supporting her as an Olympic champion and will continue to work diligently to resolve this matter swiftly and fairly.โ€

USA Gymnastics referred to its Saturday statement, expressing that it was โ€œdevastatedโ€ by the ruling.

Late Sunday afternoon, USA Gymnastics submitted additional evidence to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in defense of Jordan Chiles, refuting their ruling calling for her to return her bronze medal. The โ€œtime-stamped, video evidenceโ€ shows head coach Cecile Landi โ€œfirst stated her request to file an inquiry at the inquiry table 47 seconds after the score is posted.โ€

USA Gymnastics added that Landi then issued a second statement at the inquiry table 55 seconds after Chilesโ€™ score was originally posted. The timing of the inquiry is crucial, as Chiles and her team were only allowed one minute to file an inquiry at the end of her routine.

Chiles had initially scored 13.666, but her coaches successfully challenged the difficulty score. This added 0.1 to her total, pushing her up to third place, behind gold medalist Rebeca Andrade and fellow American Simone Biles.

Their appearance together on the first all-Black Olympics gymnastics podium created one of the Gamesโ€™ most iconic moments, with the Americans bowing down to Andrade.

However, CASโ€™s ruling that the inquiry for Chiles โ€œwas raised after the conclusion of the one-minute deadlineโ€ as per the regulations cast doubt on Chilesโ€™ medal.

After CASโ€™s decision, Chiles shared on her Instagram story with four breaking heart emojis, saying, โ€œI am taking this time and removing myself from social media for my mental health thank you.โ€