U.S. Olympic officials are planning to challenge a recent court ruling that has led to American gymnast Jordan Chiles being asked to return her bronze medal from the Paris Olympics floor exercise.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) overturned an on-floor appeal by Chiles’ coach, stating it was submitted four seconds past the one-minute time limit set for scoring inquiries. Following this ruling, the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) announced its decision to elevate Romanian gymnast Ana Barbosu to the bronze position, a move confirmed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that is set to formally reallocate the medal.
The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) expressed its belief that Chiles had rightfully earned the bronze and highlighted significant errors in both the original scoring and the CAS appeals process. CAS determined that Team USA coach Cecile Landi’s inquiry for an additional 0.1 point in Chiles’ score came after the allotted time frame, specifically at 1 minute and 4 seconds after her initial score was posted.
The IOC stated it would connect with the USOPC regarding the return of Chiles’ medal and coordinate with the Romanian Olympic Committee to arrange a ceremony honoring Barbosu.
The USOPC articulated concerns about the errors during the scoring and appeal process, claiming they did not receive enough time or notice to adequately contest the ruling. The exact pathway for the upcoming appeal remains unclear, though potential venues include Switzerland’s highest court or the European Court of Human Rights.
CAS reaffirmed the original finishing positions, placing Barbosu third while noting that the FIG would determine the outcomes of the remaining placements behind gold medalist Rebeca Andrade of Brazil and silver medalist Simone Biles of the U.S. The FIG acknowledged that it was the IOC’s responsibility to decide on the reallocation of the medal.
The events have unfolded during a challenging period for all affected athletes. Romanian gymnastics legend Nadia Comaneci expressed concern for Barbosu’s mental well-being, given the emotional turmoil stemming from the quick swaps in standings. Comaneci criticized the judging process too, particularly regarding the scoring of another Romanian athlete, highlighting errors that detracted from the fairness of the competition.
Chiles reflected on the situation emotionally, sharing her heartbreak on social media, while family members and teammates rallied around her, providing support during this tumultuous time. Teammates like Simone Biles and Sunisa Lee voiced their discontent with how the situation was handled.
USA Gymnastics also voiced its disappointment, emphasizing that the inquiry into Chiles’ scoring was conducted in good faith to ensure scoring accuracy. Both Barbosu and Maneca-Voinea had initially finished with matching scores, and after undergoing the appeal process, Barbosu believed she had secured the bronze via a tiebreaker before the eventual rulings emerged.
Chiles’ mother addressed the negativity surrounding her daughter, defending her character and professionalism amidst the controversy. The situation not only alters the medal standings but also complicates the joyous memory of the medal ceremony, where Chiles and Biles honored Andrade in a moment that had resonated widely.