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via Reuters

via Reuters

The Paris 2024 Olympics delivered plenty of historic moments, but the gymnastics women’s floor exercise final on August 5 might just take the cake. As the competition hit its peak, Simone Biles, Rebeca Andrade, and Jordan Chiles took to the podium hand-in-hand, making history in a way that had never happened before in the 33 editions of the Games. Each of these incredible athletes had already cemented her legacy in the sport, but together they pulled off a first that’s sure to be remembered for years to come!

When the scores were tallied, Olympic history turned a new page. Simone Biles, Jordan Chiles, and Rebeca Andrade made history as the first all-Black podium in Olympic gymnastics. Amid the roar of the crowd, they were united not just by their incredible achievements but also by their shared journey and proud heritage.

However, the shine of this historic moment was dimmed by an unexpected twist. After a challenge by the Romanian gymnastics team, Jordan Chiles lost her bronze medal due to a scoring dispute. What had started as an unparalleled triumph quickly became one of the toughest moments of Chiles’ career, casting a shadow over her brightest achievement. But before the medal was taken from her, Chiles shared her heartfelt thoughts on the groundbreaking Black Girl podium!

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That day, the significance of the crowning moment was far beyond the medals they wore around their necks. Jordan Chiles realized the beauty and power of the historic moment and shared her thoughts on their accomplishment. In an interview with ‘Way Up with Angela Lee on YouTube, Chiles shared, “I had told Simone, I was like, ‘Yo, this is an all-Black podium, like we just made history,’ and I’m so happy that it was like the last event, the last of our competition, and that we could just, you know, embrace that moment.”

via Reuters

Before the medal controversy arose, Chiles shared her heartfelt joy and pride in the all-black podium place finishes. Chiles further added, “That’s history in the book so I was really happy I was getting emotional as well but you know those girls deserve everything …people should recognize the fact that it’s not just about your skin color it’s about the talent the expectation the dedication that each and every one of us have put out there”.

For Jordan Chiles, the floor routine to a Beyoncé medley was meant to showcase her immense talent, not just break barriers. Initially placing fifth with a score of 13.666, Chiles saw her fate dramatically shift when a last-minute inquiry from USA Gymnastics revised her score to 13.766, earning her the bronze and marking the first all-Black podium in Olympic history.

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The joy, however, was short-lived. A challenge from the Romanian Gymnastics Federation led to a review, and less than 24 hours later, the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled in favor of Romania, reinstating Ana Barbosu to third place and stripping Chiles of her medal. As Barbosu received her bronze in a heartfelt ceremony in Bucharest, Chiles was left without hers, and new developments are now stirring up even more intrigue!

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Simone Biles and Rebeca Andrade make history, but is the bronze controversy overshadowing their triumphs?

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Jordan Chiles’ bronze medal controversy takes a new turn, and how!

Recent chaos has cast a new shadow over the controversy. It’s now come to light that the FIG has yet to identify who actually made the verbal inquiry. Questions are being raised about how time can be accurately judged if the responsible person isn’t even known. Amid these slip-ups, USAG is set to take the matter to the Swiss Federal Tribunal to ensure fair scoring, placement, and medal award for Jordan. Despite this turmoil, the landscape of gymnastics is undeniably shifting.

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Before the Olympics, Simone Biles, Rebeca Andrade, and Shilese Jones made history at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships by forming the first all-Black podium. In Paris, the trend continued as Simone Biles, Rebeca Andrade, and Suni Lee graced the podium in the women’s all-around final.

These milestones not only highlight the athletes’ extraordinary talent but also underscore the growing diversity and evolution in the sport. As we reflect on the twists and turns of Jordan Chiles’ medal controversy, what are your thoughts on her comments about the historic all-Black podium? Share in the comments below!

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Simone Biles and Rebeca Andrade make history, but is the bronze controversy overshadowing their triumphs?