The Court of Arbitration for Sport has rejected USA Gymnastics’ request to allow Jordan Chiles to keep her bronze medal in floor exercise from the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, even though the U.S. claims video evidence showed the gymnast should keep her bronze medal in standing.
Chiles was originally awarded bronze last week after an appeal by US coach Cecile Landi of her score – submitted after her on-site routine – was approved. The approved appeal increased Chiles’ score by 0.1, moving her from fifth to third place, knocking Romania’s Ana Barbosu, who had been celebrating that day, out of the medal race.
Barbosu’s team later challenged the decision, saying the on-site request by Team USA came 1 minute and 4 seconds after Chiles’ score, which was longer than the 1-minute deadline for an appeal. Because the request came seconds too late, the International Olympic Committee ruled that Chiles had to forfeit her medal to Barbosu.
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On Sunday, USA Gymnastics announced that it had officially submitted a letter and video evidence to CAS that “conclusively demonstrate” that Landi first requested the investigation 47 seconds after the result was released and made a second statement 55 seconds after the result was announced, both “within the one-minute time limit required by FIG rule.”
“The video footage provided was not available to USA Gymnastics prior to the Panel of Arbitrators’ decision and therefore USAG did not have the opportunity to submit it beforehand,” the team said, asking CAS for its decision and to reinstate Chile’s bronze medal score of 13.766.
But on Monday, USA Gymnastics said CAS rules “do not allow for review of an arbitration award, even when compelling new evidence is presented,” dismissing the appeal.
“We are deeply disappointed by the notification and will continue to pursue all possible avenues and appeals, including before the Swiss Federal Court, to ensure fair scoring, ranking and medal awarding for Jordan,” USA Gymnastics said in a statement.
Chiles had already returned to the USA with the bronze medal. When it was announced that it would be taken away from her, she announced that she would be taking a break from social media.
“I am taking this time to step away from social media for the sake of my mental health, thank you,” Chiles posted in her Instagram story.
Barbosu also posted a statement on her Instagram story.
“Sabrina, Jordan, my thoughts are with you,” she said, also speaking to her teammate Sabrina Maneca-Voinea. “I know what you’re feeling because I went through the same thing. But know that you will come back stronger.”
“I hope from the bottom of my heart that all three of us will be on the same podium at the next Olympic Games. That is my true dream!” she said.
“This situation would not have happened if those responsible had complied with the rules. We athletes are not responsible for this and the hatred directed against us is painful,” added Barbosu.
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