Jordan Chiles Must Return Olympic Bronze Medal After Score Change
Source: Xinhua News Agency / Getty
Jordan Chiles To Be Stripped Of Olympic Bronze Medal
American gymnast Jordan Chiles will lose her Olympic bronze medal on the floor exercise after judges decided to reinstate her previous score. This reversal follows an appeal by her coach, Cecile Landi, which had initially changed the competition’s outcome.
What Happened
Chiles initially scored 13.666 in her floor routine, trailing Romania’s Ana Barbosu who scored 13.700. Noticing a possible error in the difficulty score for a leap in Chiles’ performance, her coach Cecile Landi requested a review.
The review temporarily added 0.1 to Chiles’ score, moving her from fifth to third place and earning her a bronze medal. However, the Romanian Gymnastics Federation contested this decision, prompting further examination by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). After thorough consideration, CAS reverted Chiles’ score back to 13.666, removing her from the podium.
Reactions from the Gymnastics Community
The decision has sparked a wave of reactions from the gymnastics community. Many athletes and coaches have voiced their opinions on the ruling, expressing a mix of sympathy for Chiles and respect for the judicial process.
“It’s an incredibly tough situation for Jordan,” said fellow gymnast and teammate, Simone Biles. “We all know how hard she worked for that medal, and to have it taken away like this is heartbreaking.”
Cecile Landi, who spearheaded the initial appeal, expressed her disappointment but acknowledged the importance of maintaining fairness in the sport.
“While we are saddened by the outcome, we respect the ruling and will continue to support Jordan in every way we can,” Landi stated.
Statements from USA Gymnastics and Jordan Chiles
USA Gymnastics expressed their disappointment with the decision in a statement:
Joint Statement from USA Gymnastics and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee regarding the CAS decision on the women’s floor final:
CAS Decision: https://t.co/KR6DYsfxEk pic.twitter.com/r1e6QKmKA4
— USA Gymnastics (@USAGym) August 10, 2024
Before the ruling was released, Chiles posted a series of heartbroken emojis on her Instagram Stories. After it came out, she added that she was getting off social media.
“I am taking this time and removing myself from social media for my mental health, thank you.”
Jordan Chiles has remained dignified throughout the ordeal.
Also in a statement released by her representatives, Chiles thanked her supporters and vowed to continue striving for excellence.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to compete at the highest level and for the support I have received from my team and fans. This experience has only strengthened my resolve to keep pushing forward,” Chiles said.
The CAS ruling serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in judging gymnastics competitions. It underscores the need for clear and consistent scoring criteria to ensure fair competition. For Chiles, the decision is a setback, but it also represents an opportunity for growth and resilience.
As the gymnastics world processes this significant ruling, one thing is certain: Jordan Chiles’ journey is far from over. Her talent, determination, and sportsmanship will continue to inspire athletes and fans alike, no matter the outcome of this particular chapter.
Sources: Yahoo Sports, The Guardian, WCNC, Fox 40, PEOPLE, & NBCNews.
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