What happens when two gymnasts, battle-tested by similar struggles, cross paths? For Jordan Chiles, it means finding an unexpected ally in a legend who’s walked a similar road. Six-time Olympic champion Aly Raisman, known for her vocal stance on mental health, has stood by Chiles during a challenging time. The controversy began when Chiles was initially placed fifth in the eight-women final, but a score appeal by her coach, Cecile Landi, added an extra 0.1 points, bumping her up to the bronze medal position.

This decision displaced Romanian gymnast Ana Barbosu, prompting an immediate protest from Romania, which claimed that the appeal was made after the allowed one-minute window. The IOC later ruled in favor of Barbosu, requesting that Chiles return the bronze medal. This back-and-forth took a heavy toll on Chiles’ mental health.

Amid this turmoil, Raisman, who has faced similar challenges in her career, voiced her support for Chiles. “I’m so proud of Jordan and how she’s handling this,” Raisman said in an interview with E! News, expressing her disappointment over the situation. She advised Chiles to seek therapy to navigate this difficult period, drawing from her own experiences to help Chiles through this trying time.

Aly Raisman backs Jordan Chiles amid medal controversy

In an Aug. 21, 2024, interview with E! News, Aly Raisman spoke candidly about the medal controversy surrounding Jordan Chiles. “I can’t imagine how devastating this is because Jordan has worked her entire life for this,” Raisman said. As a former member of USA Gymnastics, she understands how such controversies can wreak havoc on an athlete’s mental health. Aly praised Jordan’s decision to step back from social media, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing mental well-being. This isn’t the first time Raisman has championed self-care. On World Mental Health Day, she shared a heartfelt Instagram video urging others to embrace “more love and self-compassion.”

She continued in the video, sharing how she learned to be kinder to herself—a lesson from her own experience. When she won bronze on the balance beam at the 2012 London Olympics, her coach’s appeal moved her from fourth to third place. That emotional experience made her feel even more for Jordan. Aly noted that her situation differed from Jordan’s, saying, “My inquiry was accepted and I was able to keep my medal, so to be honest, what Jordan’s going through is just so different from what I’ve experienced and it’s unacceptable.” When Jordan described the situation on Instagram as a ‘devastating’ and ‘significant blow,’ Aly deeply felt her pain.

Immediately after that, on Aug 12, Aly posted on Instagram, “This is just so heartbreaking, and I’m just so gutted for Jordan,” asking the authorities to give her permission to keep the medal. Then she further added how cruel and unfair it is to cause suffering to the athletes like this. However, Aly still showed patience and kept faith in the IOC that they would take this situation seriously and wouldn’t let these circumstances appear soon. Side by side, Aly Raisman continuously praised how Jordan Chiles handled the situation gracefully. She told E! News, “I think that she should do whatever she needs right now and to take care of herself,” referring to Jordan’s decision to take ‘alone time’. 

Raisman remains hopeful that the authorities will act more compassionately in the future. She ended her statement with, “But I just love her and I support her,” vowing to stand by gymnasts like Jordan during tough times. Raisman’s support for Jordan reflects her broader concern for the fairness and well-being of athletes. This stance extends to her criticism of the Paris judges for their controversial medal decision involving Chiles.

Former Olympian slams Paris judges for Jordan Chiles’ medal decision 

Even after the Paris Olympics concluded, the medal controversy continued to make headlines for a week. During this time, Aly Raisman voiced her frustration with the Paris judges in an interview with Today, stating, “Yeah, it honestly makes no sense to me.” She expressed confusion over how the decision was made and how such a situation could occur. Raisman emphasized that timing is crucial in gymnastics and that there are trained officials responsible for monitoring these details. She stated, “There is a designated trained official whose job it is to keep the time; they are not allowed to move forward with the inquiry unless it’s under that minute,” pointing out there is nothing wrong with the inquiry. Aly Raisman has long been a mentor for Olympian Jordan Chiles and even considered Aly her lucky charm. 

Jordan Chiles’ Paris journey, marked by determination and perseverance, was deeply inspired by Aly Raisman. In a recent interview with Olympics.com, Chiles revealed, “I always think of you when I’m out on the competition floor. Because truly, honestly, Aly, you inspired not only just me, but a lot of girls out here.” This statement underscores their profound mentor-mentee relationship. Chiles and her mother have often spoken of Raisman’s influence and support, with Raisman consistently providing guidance and encouragement before each competition. Despite the controversy surrounding the judges’ decisions, this bond remains a testament to the power of mentorship and mutual respect in gymnastics.