Jordan Chiles Speaks Out After Losing Olympic Bronze Medal

Jordan Chiles has expressed her disappointment and disbelief following the recent ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) that led to the stripping of her Olympic bronze medal. The 23-year-old gymnast took to Instagram to share her feelings about this controversial decision, stating, “I have no words. This decision feels unjust and comes as a significant blow, not just to me but to everyone who has championed my journey.”

In her statement, Chiles also addressed the unwarranted, racially charged attacks she has faced on social media, describing them as “wrong and extremely hurtful.” She emphasized her dedication to the sport, saying, “I’ve poured my heart and soul into this sport, and I am so proud to represent my culture and my country.”

The situation has been increasingly frustrating for Chiles, who has engaged in a back-and-forth with Olympic committees regarding the results of the women’s floor final that took place during the Paris Summer Games on August 5. In addition to her bronze medal, she was part of the team that won gold, alongside high-profile teammates such as Simone Biles, Hezley Rivera, Jade Carey, and Sunisa Lee. Chiles noted that she is now facing “one of the most challenging moments of my career.”

“While celebrating my Olympic accomplishments, I heard the devastating news that my bronze medal had been stripped away,” she reflected. Chiles expressed her confidence in the appeal initiated by USA Gymnastics (USAG), which she believed provided solid evidence supporting her case, asserting that “my score followed all the rules.” Yet, she was disappointed to find that the appeal ultimately did not succeed.

Despite this setback, Chiles took the opportunity to acknowledge her support system. “I am incredibly grateful to my family, teammates, coaches, fans, USAG, and the USOPC for their unwavering support during this difficult time,” she shared. She concluded her thoughts with determination, stating, “I will approach this challenge as I have others—and I will make every effort to ensure that justice is done.”

Chiles expressed hope that eventually, “the people in control will do the right thing.” This belief came in the wake of the CAS ruling, which determined that Chiles’ coach, Cecile Landi, had requested an inquiry four seconds past the allowable time to review her score during the floor final. The inquiry, which had been accepted at the time, resulted in an adjustment to her score that had originally earned her the bronze medal.

The controversy escalated when the Romanian National Olympic Committee lodged a protest against the ruling, prompting a series of events that led to the call for Chiles to return her medal. This would allow it to be reallocated to Romanian gymnast Ana Bărbosu, who was deemed the third-place winner retroactively.

In response to this ruling, USA Gymnastics has committed to challenging the decision, citing multiple issues with the process. They presented time-stamped video evidence indicating that Chiles’ coach submitted the inquiry within 47 seconds, which is well within the one-minute limit. Nevertheless, the CAS has maintained that its rules prohibit reconsideration of its decisions, even with the introduction of new evidence.

As Jordan Chiles navigates this tumultuous period, her resilience shines through. She stands firm in her belief that she deserves justice and continues to garner support from those who admire her dedication and talent.

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