
Jordan Chiles May Have to Return Bronze Medal After CAS Ruling at Paris 2024
Paris, France — Jordan Chiles, the American gymnast who won bronze in the floor exercise final at the 2024 Paris Olympics, may be required to return her medal after a recent ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The court found that an appeal, which led to an increase in Chiles' score and placed her on the podium, was improperly granted because it was submitted past the one-minute deadline for such inquiries.
The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) confirmed the CAS decision and reinstated Chiles' original score of 13.666, which would place her in fifth position, just missing out on a medal. As a result, Romania's Ana Barbosu, who originally scored 13.7, was moved back into third place.
The potential reallocation of the bronze medal is now in the hands of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which has yet to comment on the situation. The uncertainty surrounding whether Chiles must return her medal has sparked controversy and criticism, particularly from her teammates.
Sunisa Lee, one of Chiles' fellow gymnasts, expressed her frustration on Instagram, questioning the focus on the athlete rather than the judges. Simone Biles also voiced her support for Chiles, calling her an "Olympic champ" and urging her to stay strong.
Chiles, who was unaware that her coaches had submitted the appeal on her behalf, has been the target of harsh criticism on social media, with some accusing her of "stealing" the medal from Barbosu. The backlash has taken a toll on Chiles, who posted broken heart emojis on her Instagram story and announced she would be stepping away from social media for her mental health.
USA Gymnastics and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee have issued a joint statement expressing their devastation over the ruling and condemning the attacks on Chiles. They defended the appeal, stating that it was filed in good faith and in accordance with FIG rules.
The controversy began during the final day of Olympic gymnastics when Chiles' score was increased after a review of a deduction related to a tour de jeté full, a difficult leap. The adjustment moved her into third place, bumping Barbosu off the podium. The decision led to an emotional moment for Barbosu, who had believed she had won bronze and was visibly upset when the change was announced.
Romania's Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu and former gymnast Nadia Comaneci have criticized the handling of the situation, with Comaneci lamenting the impact on athletes' mental health. The Romanian Gymnastics Federation filed multiple appeals to CAS, one of which led to the current ruling.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether Chiles will have to return her medal, and what steps, if any, USA Gymnastics or the USOPC will take in response to the CAS decision.
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