The 2024 Paris Olympics are done and dusted, but Jordan Chiles is still reeling from her heartbreaking experience in the French capital. The 23-year-old had already clinched a team gold in the all-around finals. Yet she had her sights set on individual hardware as well. Remember how tumultuous the women’s floor finals were? When the American scored 13.666, she had to settle for a non-podium position in fifth place. But things took a shocking turn when her score moved up to 13.766 after Cecile Landi’s appeal, albeit that was done post the time of the official deadline. 

However, we’ve all seen this film before. After being stripped of her bronze by the Court of Arbitration’s decision, the Olympian was in a world of pain. She decided to take a much-needed social media break, took up a few social appearances, and was an integral part of the Gold Over America Tour. Even though she has moderately addressed the situation on social media, the American hasn’t spoken about it in the media. Until now. What did she have to say?

Jordan Chiles understands the agony this experience has caused

For the first time after drawing the curtains on her Parisian stint, the 23-year-old is finally ready to address the gut-wrenching situation. On November 11, Jordan Chiles spoke to TODAY’s Hoda Kotb and reiterated how she empathized with her Romanian competitor. “I’ve been going through the exact same thing, but I haven’t spoken to her directly,“ she admitted. Ana Bărbosu’s original score of 13.700 put her in third place until the American’s new score bumped her off. But has she spoken to the gymnast since then? 

Hoda Kotb seemed to have the same question in mind. However, the gymnast cleared the air. “We have not had any conversations,” she stated. Yet, her heart yearns for Barbosu: “I know that she has put stuff out on social media the same way that I was doing.” Since the unfortunate situation in the French capital, the Olympian had to deal with an array of trolls and unbridled hate. But on August 11, Ana Bărbosu extended an olive branch. 

The Romanian confessed how her heart went out to Jordan Chiles and her compatriot Sabrina Maneca-Voinea. However, she was confident that they would come back stronger. In fact, she wished for them to share a podium at LA 2028. The 23-year-old finally confessed, “You know, they’re both amazing athletes, and whatever she’s going through, I’m very, very sorry.“ While this is the first time that the American poured her heart out since her Paris performances, Bărbosu has previously opened up about it. 

How did the Romanian gymnast feel about this unfortunate situation?

After the Court of Arbitration stripped the 23-year-old of her bronze, Ana Bărbosu had to deal with a slew of criticism. Many questioned if she was a good individual, while a few even stated that she had poor sportsmanship. However, all of this brought the gymnast to tears. Yet, when it seemed like things were getting out of hand, a gymnastics legend stepped in for her. 

Former gymnast Nadia Comăneci wasn’t too pleased with how the judges handled the situation, an emotion that Bărbosu shared as well. While Comăneci was ecstatic about how things turned out, she wasn’t on board with the harsh treatment Jordan Chiles and Bărbosu had to deal with. She urged fans on X to stop attacking both the gymnasts.

In fact, Comăneci went as far as to state how it was cruel and unacceptable. However, after a considerable amount had passed, the Romanian gymnast opened up about how she dealt with the incident. Bărbosu admitted how this experience taught her several lessons. But most importantly, it gave her the insight to control her emotions better and leave the past behind.

Bărbosu also reiterated that while she was back to training and school, she still couldn’t get over the incident. As harrowing as it was, other emotions took over. As a result, she didn’t even have the time to look back and think about it. While the saga hasn’t reached a definitive end yet, Jordan Chiles will continue fighting this upward battle. Yet, it’s clear as day that this didn’t affect just her, and the situation, as it’s hanging in the balance right now, is definitely not the result that she was looking forward to.