The United States has faced a setback at the Paris Olympics, as Jordan Chiles is set to lose her bronze medal in the floor exercise. This development comes six days after Chiles originally earned the bronze, following a contentious decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The controversy arose when Chiles’ score was adjusted on a technicality, but the challenge to the adjustment was submitted four seconds past the allowed window.
Chiles, understandably, is devastated by the news. Team USA coach Cecile Landi had filed the objection 64 seconds after the judges’ initial score was announced. This adjustment had improved Chiles’ score from 13.666 to 13.766, moving her from fifth to third place and surpassing two Romanian gymnasts who had finished fourth and fifth.
The Romanians, led by Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, strongly opposed the late challenge. Ciolacu even threatened to boycott the Olympics unless Chiles was stripped of her medal, which was to be awarded to the fourth-place finisher, Ana Barbosu.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), based in Lausanne, Switzerland, sided with the Romanians and reverted Chiles’ score to 13.666, placing her fifth. The IOC has now acted on the CAS ruling, leading to Chiles being stripped of her bronze medal despite having originally earned it.
Jordan Chiles Taking Care of ‘Mental Health’
Before the IOC’s official decision was announced, Chiles had already indicated her distress on Instagram. She posted several broken-hearted emojis and announced she would be stepping away from social media for her mental health.
USA Gymnastics issued a supportive statement, emphasizing that the challenge to Chiles’ score was made in good faith and in line with FIG rules. They condemned the online abuse Chiles faced, stating, “No athlete should be subject to such treatment. We condemn the attacks and those who engage, support, or instigate them.”
At 23, Chiles was part of the gold-medal-winning Team USA women’s gymnastics team and won a silver medal for the team event at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, stepping up in Simone Biles’ absence due to mental health issues.
Stripped Over a 4-Second Differential
The specifics of how Chiles will return the medal are still unclear. She has already returned to the U.S., but the IOC will coordinate with the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) to recover the medal, which will be reallocated to Ana Bărbosu of Romania.
The situation underscores the impact of a four-second discrepancy—the delay in filing the challenge, which ultimately led to Chiles being unjustly deprived of the medal she earned. The IOC’s statement on the matter reads:
“Following the CAS decision with regard to the Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Floor Exercise Final and the amendment of the ranking by the International Gymnastics Federation, the IOC will reallocate the bronze medal to Ana Bărbosu (Romania). We are in touch with the NOC of Romania to discuss the reallocation ceremony and with USOPC regarding the return of the bronze medal.”
