The women’s gymnastics squad from Team USA at the Paris Olympics captivated fans with their impressive roster of prominent names. Jordan Chiles was among the pack, and she delivered to her anticipation as she earned a gold medal in the all-around team event and a bronze in the floor exercise finals, which was her first individual Olympic medal. However, the celebrations paused and joy faded from the gymnast, as she was stripped of her bronze medal after a decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

The fans of America’s “I’m that girl,” did not take lightly the decision of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) and CAS, causing a big controversy in the community. Chiles also revealed her emotions suffering from this heartbreaking decision, but she still insisted on fighting to get back her medal. Recently, she starred on National TV for the first time, giving a candid reflection on the situation, which again caused the community to debate by supporting her cause to fight for her accolade.

The 23-year-old became part of an interview hosted by American broadcaster and journalist Hoda Kotb on TODAY. Furthermore, she acknowledged Chiles’ presence with a “thank you” and expressed her curiosity about the emotions surrounding the gymnast’s loss of her medal. “Honestly, it’s been really really hard to comprehend everything that’s been happening,” said Chiles. The gymnast tried her best to hold down her tears, and with a heavy heart, she explained how the recent times have been challenging for her.

Hoda Kotb also stressed the fact that the reason for CAS taking away her medal was because her coach Cecile Landi was four seconds late to the 60-second deadline to appeal about Chile’s score. However, the journalist wanted to convey that for her it “seems like a judge’s issue,” rather than putting the blame and pressure on the athletes involved in this situation.

As the decision was already taken by the CAS, Hoda Kotb also wanted to know about Chiles’ mentality regarding this, to which she replied, “It’s hard to tell yourself everything is going to be fine when you know you feel like literally didn’t do anything wrong. Everything was very right, everything was in the time that needed to be, and for them to comeback and say that this was four seconds late when we’ve had proof, we’ve had everything that really can show that everything was right.” Apart from having the idea of being in one of the lowest points of her life, Chiles further acknowledged the support she has been receiving from her fans, teammates, and all the people who have been there for her. 

The 23-year-old Jordan Chiles was proud of what she achieved on such a big stage, claiming it to be the “cherry on top,” and it was a moment that she would never forget in her life. Furthermore, Chiles emphasized the “all-black podium,” which was one of the historical moments in the sport, that too at a venue like the Olympic Games. The gymnast is still fighting for what she has lost, and her attempts aren’t going unnoticed, as many fans are directly in support of her.

Gymternet unites for justice towards Jordan Chiles

Jordan Chiles’s interview on TODAY sparked a wave of support on Reddit’s r/gymnastics, where fans were quick to rally behind her. One fan captured the mood perfectly: “The pain in her voice makes me sick. A scourge on the FIG for having inappropriately messy procedures, and the IOC for not agreeing to a shared medal for athletes who did nothing wrong.”

This outcry comes as the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) faced serious scrutiny for procedural slip-ups revealed by the CAS ruling. In a statement that exposed glaring gaps in FIG’s approach, CAS noted, “The Panel was surprised that the FIG was not able to identify the person who recorded the information as to time, and that no clear and established mechanism appeared to be in place to address so important a matter as the timing of a request for an inquiry.” FIG President Donatella Sacchi added to the confusion, admitting she couldn’t verify the timing of Chiles’s inquiry due to system issues, noting she saw no indication of a late submission on her tablet.

Days later, FIG President Morinari Watanabe weighed in, but his response only fueled the debate. Addressing the organization’s shortcomings, he stated, “But now we (FIG) are no longer a pioneer. This is because we are not able to break our own prejudices because of our traditions. We need change. We need challenges. And we need the courage to move forward.” Another fan fired back online, rallying with, “Justice for Jordan.”

Amid the uproar, evidence from Simone Biles’s Netflix documentary, Simone Biles: Rising, has come to Chiles’s defense. The footage shows Chiles’s coach, Cecile Landi, requesting an inquiry 49 seconds after the score was announced and embracing Chiles 15 seconds later—compelling proof, her attorneys argue, that the inquiry was on time. Jordan Chiles’ legal team took this footage to the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland, contending that CAS ignored her right to be heard by not reviewing the video. As one fan put it, “I am beyond heartsick for Jordan. This should NEVER HAVE HAPPENED!! And now that there is video evidence, what better proof could they ask for?” 

Another fan expressed the toll these decisions have on all involved, saying, “When I saw the video of Ana when Jordan’s score got changed to put her in third, I knew there was going to be a big case or something around it. Both Jordan and Ana of course did nothing wrong. I really hope Jordan is taking care of herself. What a hard thing to go through for everyone involved.”

In a heartfelt gesture, Ana Barbosu, who accepted the bronze in Bucharest, Romania, shared her sympathy for Jordan Chiles and Romanian teammate Sabrina Voinea. “I can’t help but think about Sabrina and Jordan right now,” Barbosu said, acknowledging the difficult situation the three women faced with uncertainties and overwhelming emotions. She added, “I want to believe that the day will come when all three of us will receive a bronze medal.”

Though Chiles can take pride in her Olympic gold from Paris, this bronze—her first individual Olympic medal—holds special meaning. As her legal battle rages on, fans and athletes alike are rooting for a resolution that honors everyone’s hard work and integrity.