Jordan Chiles Expresses Disappointment Over Bronze Medal Revoked at Paris Olympics

Jordan Chiles faced a razor-thin margin at the Paris Olympics that ultimately cost her a bronze medal in a decision that deeply upset her.

“I’m speechless,” Chiles commented Thursday on X, expressing his shock. “The decision seems unfair and impacts not only me, but everyone who has supported me throughout this time.”

The controversy first arose when Chiles, an American gymnast, publicly expressed her frustration on X regarding the outcome of the women’s floor final. Her initial reactions were heartbroken posts and a brief social media hiatus for her mental well-being.

“This is without a doubt one of the hardest times of my career,” Chiles wrote a week after the incident, demonstrating his determination to seek justice despite the setback.

The dispute dates back to the women’s artistic gymnastics final on August 5 at the Bercy Arena, where Chiles was the last gymnast to perform. Initially scoring 13.666 and placing fifth, an appeal by her coach Cecile Landi resulted in a revised score of 13.766, briefly awarding her the bronze. However, the Romanian Gymnastics Federation disputed the timing of the appeal, which led the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to reinstate her original score due to a late filing.

Although the CAS expressed a preference to award bronze medals to Chiles, Ana Bărbosu and Sabrina Maneca-Voinea based on fairness, the lack of clear guidelines from the International Gymnastics Federation on the timing of appeals prevented this. The final decision of the International Olympic Committee re-awarded the medal to Bărbosu following the CAS ruling.

Despite the FIG’s correction in response to the CAS findings, the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee remains involved in discussions regarding the return of Chiles’ medal.

Gymnastics officials, while acknowledging the incidents during the Paris Games, refrained from awarding three bronze medals, citing procedural constraints. USA Gymnastics remains confident, having announced plans to appeal to the Swiss Federal Court despite the historical unlikelihood of overturning CAS decisions.

“I continue to hope that those responsible will ultimately make the right decision,” Chiles said, clinging to the prospect of retaining his medal.