USA Gymnastics May Get Jordan Chiles Bronze Medal Ruling Overturned with New Evidence: Update
The gymnast won the bronze medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics for the women's floor routine
After a week of score changes and deliberating which gymnast should receive the bronze medal for the women’s floor routine at the 2024 Paris Olympics, there may finally be an end in sight.
USA gymnastics has submitted new evidence that could refute the overturning of Jordan Chiles’ bronze medal, which they have stated was not available to them in regards to the floor final. As fans of Olympic gymnastics know, Chiles was boosted from fifth to third thanks to a point correction during the event’s scoring, pushing Romania’s Ana Barbosu out of the bronze running. However, the Court of Arbitration ruled that the point correction appeal was filed too late, resulting in Chiles’ stripping of her medal. The new evidence, however, was brought to light in a statement from USA Gymnastics, which was published Sunday, August 11.
The statement explained, “The time-stamped video evidence submitted by USA Gymnastics shows (Cecile) Landi [Chiles’ coach] first stated her request to file an inquiry at the inquiry table 47 seconds after the score is posted, followed by a second statement 55 seconds after the score was originally posted. The video footage provided was not available to USA Gymnastics prior to the tribunal’s decision and thus USAG did not have the opportunity to previously submit it.”
Following Chiles’ performance in the women’s floor routine, the gymnast received an initial score of 13.666. But after her coach made the aforementioned appeal, asking the judges to reconsider her difficulty score, the score was bumped up to 13.766, boosting Chiles to the bronze medal.
See Chiles’ performance here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51F27uwFIy0
However, it was later ruled that Landi had made the appeal 64 seconds after the allowed appeal time of 60 seconds. The decision was then made by the International Olympic Committee’s Court of Arbitration for Sport to strip Chiles of her bronze win and give it to Barbosu.
The U.S. made an appeal of their own regarding Jordan Chiles’ bronze medal reallocation
Following the decision, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee pushed back, stating they would be fighting for Chiles’ win. “We 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.”
The statement continued, “Given these circumstances, we are committed to pursuing an appeal to help Jordan Chiles receive the recognition she deserves,” the U.S. committee said. “We remain dedicated to supporting her as an Olympic champion.”
Former Olympians have chimed in on Jordan Chiles’ performance and Olympic medal
Three-time gold medalist Aly Raisman shared her thoughts on the bronze medal controversy, explaining that the situation is “completely devastating.”
“This is just so heartbreaking, and I’m just so gutted for Jordan. I can’t even imagine what this past week has been like for Jordan and the other athletes involved.” She continued, “I don’t think people realize these gymnasts work their entire lives for this moment, and it’s supposed to be a celebration. This was one of my favorite moments at the Olympics, watching Jordan celebrate. I think it’s so unfair. It’s so cruel.”
Simone Biles and Suni Lee have also shared what they think about the situation. “Sending you so much love Jordan,” Biles wrote in an Instagram Story. “Keep your chin up olympic champ! We love you!
Lee wrote, “All this talk about the athlete, what about the judges?? Completely unacceptable. This is awful and I’m gutted for Jordan,” she wrote. “I got your back forever Jo. (You) have all my flowers and you will ALWAYS be an Olympic champion.”
Chiles, meanwhile, has stayed off social media throughout the deliberations, telling followers that she would be stepping away from the spotlight during the back and forth.
“I am taking this time and removing myself from social media for my mental health thank you,” she wrote on her Instagram Story ahead of the ruling.
What to expect in the bronze medal Olympic debate
Following the new evidence that was recently submitted by Team USA, it seems Chiles, Barbosu and fans around the world will have to wait for an answer to the week-long controversy: Who will win the bronze medal? The IOC has not provided a statement regarding the update as of publication – watch this space for more as the story develops.
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