Team USA gymnast Jordan Chiles has spoken out after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) ordered her to return the bronze medal she won in the women’s individual floor event at the Paris Olympics.
The details surrounding the reason for this decision by the IOC have not been widely disclosed, but the situation has sparked significant attention.
Jordan Chiles’ response marks the first time she has publicly addressed the controversy.
“I have no words,” Chiles wrote on Instagram. “This decision feels unjust and comes as a significant blow, not just to me, but to everyone who has championed my journey.”
Jordan Chiles initially placed fifth in the women’s individual floor event at the Paris Olympics but moved up to third place after an inquiry, earning a bronze medal.
The inquiry, led by U.S. coach Cecile Landi, resulted in Chiles being ranked behind Brazilian gymnast Rebeca Andrade and teammate Simone Biles.
However, last week, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled that the inquiry was invalid because Landi’s appeal was filed four seconds too late.
As a result, the original rankings were restored, moving Romania’s Ana Barbosu and Sabrina Maneca Voinea to third and fourth place, respectively, and Chiles back to fifth place.
This decision led to the International Olympic Committee ordering Chiles to return the bronze medal.
She has been ordered to return the bronze medal she received in the women’s individual floor event at the Paris Olympics after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled that an appeal by U.S. coach Cecile Landi was filed too late. The International Gymnastics Federation supported the decision.
Although U.S. Olympic officials initially planned to appeal, they were informed by CAS that the decision was final and could not be reconsidered, despite new evidence presented by USA Gymnastics that they claimed showed Landi made the appeal on time.
Chiles, 23, expressed her distress over the situation, particularly noting that “unprompted racially driven attacks” on social media have compounded the heartbreak she’s experienced in recent days.
“I am now confronted with one of the most challenging moments of my career. Believe me when I say I have had many,” Chiles wrote.
“I will approach this challenge as I have others — and will make every effort to ensure that justice is done. I believe that at the end of this journey, the people in control will do the right thing.”
Jordan Chiles was ordered to return her Olympic bronze medal after an appeal by U.S. coach Cecile Landi was ruled to be filed too late.
The decision, supported by the International Gymnastics Federation, was final, despite new evidence presented by U.S. officials.
She expressed heartbreak, citing racially driven social media attacks. Her teammate Suni Lee, who criticized the decision as “completely unacceptable,” shared her statement.
Romanian gymnast Ana Barbosu was awarded the bronze medal in a ceremony in Bucharest.
“I did not realize how heavy it is,” she told the audience. “I am glad to be in possession of this medal and I hope to continue to represent Romania at the highest level.”
USA Gymnastics has pledged to continue pursuing “every possible avenue and appeal process” to ensure that Jordan Chiles receives fair scoring, placement, and the rightful medal award.
Despite the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s ruling, which required Chiles to return her bronze medal, USA Gymnastics remains committed to challenging the decision.
