On Saturday August 10, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled that American gymnast Jordan Chiles might not be a bronze medal winner for the gymnastics floor exercise final, after an initial inquiry on her score. What happened?
What happened on the day of competition?
During the finals, Chiles was initially given a 13.666 score for her performance in floor gymnastics. However, her Team USA coach, Cecile Landi, submitted an inquiry on her score, giving her a 0.1 pt boost and earning her a bronze medal at the event. She then replaced Romania’s Ana Bărbosu and Sabrina Voinea, bumping them to fourth and fifth place.
How have people reacted to the original decision?
Not well! Romania Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu protested attending the closing ceremony over the treatment of their athletics after the decision was called. On August 9, Chiles’s mother, Gina, also responded to the racist comments Jordan has received since she won her medal.
The racist disgusting comments are still happening in 2024. I'm tired of people who say it no longer exists. My daughter is a highly decorated Olympian with the biggest heart and a level of sportsmanship that is unmatched...and she's being called disgusting things.
— Gina Chiles (@gina_chiles) August 9, 2024
Why did they overturn the decision?
CAS claims that Coach Landi’s inquiry happened one minute and four seconds after the score was called, a.k.a. four seconds too late. However, at the time, the inquiry was accepted, and the committee changed Chiles’s score accordingly. However, five days after the competition, they voided the original appeal, restoring the original scores of the line-up. There has been no word on if she has to return her bronze medal or not.
Has anyone, including Chiles, responded?
Yep, and it’s fair to say no one is happy about the decision. Chiles posted broken heart emojis online, with a message that she’ll be taking a break from social media for her “mental health,” hinting at the overturned decision. Simone Biles posted on Instagram stories in support of her teammate, “sending you so much love Jordan. keep your chin up Olympic champ! we love you!” Below are more responses from Chile’s family, her teammates, and Team USA.
Suni supporting Jo ???? pic.twitter.com/CYczSxvyxd
— jordan & suni 2x olympic champions (@uclaxsunistan) August 10, 2024
Joint Statement from USA Gymnastics and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee regarding the CAS decision on the women’s floor final:
— USA Gymnastics (@USAGym) August 10, 2024
CAS Decision: https://t.co/KR6DYsfxEk pic.twitter.com/r1e6QKmKA4
Jazmin Chiles, Jordan Chiles’ sister, says the gymnast was officially stripped of her medal:
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) August 10, 2024
“Racism is real, it exists, it is alive and well.” pic.twitter.com/e7XHRbiEEB
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