“That Girl” Jordan Chiles made the USA proud by winning her first individual Olympic medal, but her journey was far from smooth. The final event- the floor, of women’s artistic gymnastics at the 2024 Paris Olympics saw a dramatic twist. Initially, Chiles was left out in the cold. However, a successful inquiry by Team USA’s coach, Cecile Landi, turned the tables and pushed her score up, securing her a bronze medal at Bercy Arena.

Meanwhile, Romanian gymnast Ana Barbosu, who was initially basking in the glory of her anticipated bronze, was left high and dry when the score change bumped Chiles ahead of her, leaving Barbosu to drop her flag in stunned disbelief. The inquiry was reviewed and approved, elevating Chiles’ routine from a C-start value to a D, and boosting her score. And then was the time for -CONTROVERSY!!

As this news spread like wildfire through digital media, Jordan Chiles found herself in the crosshairs of criticism. Fans took to X, expressing their frustrations. One remarked, “How Americans steal in gymnastics! Romania’s Ana Bărbosu, who had the second-highest floor value, was stripped of her bronze medal after a swift appeal by the United States. In just 30 seconds, the situation flipped! Sabrina Maneca-Voinea, just 17, performed even better but ended up finishing below.”

One more fan added, “The judges f- up. Scores should not be posted until time for challenges. Once posted, should be final. Jordan Chiles did a terrible final landing anyway. Romania’s Anna Bărbosu was robbed. Imagine that. USA, getting the results changed after the fact. ala 2020.” Despite the backlash, Chiles responded with confidence and savage, remarking, “It’s funny how people can still never be happy for someone…”

With so much going on, Gina Chiles, Jordan Chiles’s mom, took to X, to support her daughter, “Why be messy towards an athlete who literally supports every single person. Icons commenting stirring fans as if Jordan herself made the rules. She won the medal and others were devastated. She has been devastated before too. Gymnastics is hard. Let her CELEBRATE! Sad and hurtful” But why the legends are also supporting Barbou?

Well, even Barbosu, Legendary Romanian gymnast Nadia, five-time Olympic gold medalist, all in individual events took to X to support, Ana Barbosu. She expressed her frustration: “I can’t believe we play with athletes’ mental health and emotions like this… let’s protect them #anabarbosu.” Well, it is undoubtedly difficult for Ana Barbosu. But Chiles deserved it! Her score was adjusted by 0.1, pushing her ahead of Romania’s Ana Barbosu and Sabrina Maneca-Voinea, who both scored 13.700. But why did her score erupt?

A medal worth the wait led to a Bronze for Jordan Chiles

Jordan Chiles initially landed in fifth place, but an inquiry by her coaches led to a crucial adjustment in her final score. The review corrected a previous oversight, awarding full credit for her challenging Gogean leap, a split leap with a 1.5-turn, which had initially not been fully recognized due to concerns over rotation. This adjustment lifted her score from 13.666 to 13.766, propelling her to the bronze medal position.

Overwhelmed with emotion, Chiles broke down in tears as she saw her new score on the screen, a moment of pure elation shared with her coach, Cecile Landi, who also wept in joy. Chiles, struggling to find her voice amidst the celebration, reflected on the intensity of the moment, saying, “I have no words, but I’m so proud of myself. Losing my voice means everything because it takes a while for me to do that.”

Appealing a score is a risky endeavor, often leading to either an improved score or an even lower one while Chiles’s mom, Gina Chiles said. But Chiles’ successful appeal, with a fee and timely submission by her federation, showed her and her team’s determination. Despite some shaky which affected her execution score, Chiles’ overall performance was strong.

In the same scene, Chiles, along with Simone Biles and Rebeca Andrade, made the podium the first to feature three black gymnasts. Showing their admiration, Chiles and Biles bowed to Andrade, with Chiles expressing, “Why don’t we just give her flowers? Not only has she given Simone her flowers, but a lot of us in the United States, our flowers as well. So giving it back is what makes it so beautiful.“This is called sportsmanship. Meanwhile, the 2024 Paris Olympics saw one athlete’s dreams fulfilled, and another’s shattered, underscoring how a single twist of fate can alter lives in the blink of an eye.