Fighting for Bronze, Jordan Chiles Speaks on Flavor Flav’s Impromptu Gift

Remember how iconic the grand finale to the gymnastics leg at the Paris Olympics was? As Rebeca Andrade, Simone Biles, and Jordan Chiles stood atop the podium, the deafening cheers refused to die down. However, there was a twist! The 23-year-old first placed fifth on the table. But after Cecile Landi appealed to have her score re-evaluated, she soon catapulted to the third step of the podium. Even though the gymnast was ecstatic about her first individual medal in her second berth, it didn’t last long. 

In a shocking turn of events, Romanian officials appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), claiming that Landi appealed four seconds too late. After careful consideration, the Olympian was ordered to forfeit the medal. As heartbreaking as that was, she decided to fight for what was rightfully hers. Yet, amidst it all, Chiles received a surprise from Flavor Flav and has now opened up on their interaction. What did she say?

Jordan Chiles spills the beans on Flavor Flav’s unexpected gesture

The 23-year-old had to go through the heartbreaking experience of being stripped of her Olympic bronze at the 2024 Paris Games. However, Flavor Flav couldn’t watch his favorite gymnast in pain. So, he decided to surprise the Olympian with ‘her very own bronze’. Sure, it might not be a medal, but it was something just as special – a bronze clock necklace. Speaking to the New York Post, Jordan Chiles was asked if it’s found a home yet. “The bronze clock is in this theater room [at my home] in Texas, and we have two trophy cases that are on the outskirts of the door. So it’s in one of the trophy cases.”

In fact, the gymnast stated that the bronze clock is “very valued” and has found a spot next to her world and Olympic medals. It might seem weird to see the Olympian alongside the rapper. However, he cheered Team USA on at the Games and sponsored the US women’s water polo team’s Olympic bid as well. What did the 23-year-old feel as she received the bronze clock? We will let her answer that question for you. 

“That was definitely an amazing moment. I can still say that I wasn’t expecting. Not at all. Not one bit,” she confessed. Yet, she was incredibly happy about being in the presence of Flavor Flav. “So, it was definitely really cool,” Jordan Chiles admitted. The unlikely duo set the MTV VMAs stage on fire. As they walked out to announce the first winner of the night, the rapper told the gymnast that he wanted to make a “little Olympics moment.”

Flavor Flav addressed the bronze medal controversy and then admitted that he got her something no one could take away from her. While the Olympian didn’t know what to say, the bronze clock necklace had finally made its way to the 23-year-old. On the other hand, this wasn’t the only time they crossed paths.

The Olympian attended Black Entrepreneurs Day in Atlanta last month, an event Flav was a part of as well. The duo were excited to have reunited after their wholesome interaction on stage. Despite the gift, the gymnast is still vying for her Olympic bronze, and she might have gotten a step closer to getting it back.

The Olympian’s battle for her bronze medal is not over yet

The dust may have settled on the grandeur of the Paris Olympics, but Jordan Chiles isn’t ready to let go of her bronze medal just yet. The world watched the controversy unfold in real-time, but it looks like the Olympian finally has the chance to keep her medal. This would possibly be due to Simone Biles and her Netflix documentary, ‘How, you ask?’

The 23-year-old had submitted an appeal to the Swiss Federal Supreme Court in September to overturn the decision made by CAS. However, shortly after, a new video emerged, giving the gymnast a little hope. Much to everyone’s surprise, this video has ended the speculation of when the appeal was filed. 

The video in question was in the second season of Simone Biles Rising, which aired in October this year. According to the footage, Jordan Chiles’ floor exercise scores come up at 15:31:53 in the video. However, at 15:32:55, Cecile Landi is heard shouting “Inquiry for Jordan” before turning back from the appeal table. 

This goes to show that the coach had appealed within the 1-minute window. If you recall, this is the same evidence filed by the Olympian before the Swiss Federal Supreme Court. Even though Cecile Landi is not in the camera view, it is clear as day that they did everything right. While we haven’t heard of a verdict yet, this might be the very thing that reunites the gymnast with her medal. What did you think of Flavor Flav’s wholesome gesture?