“I am taking this time and removing myself from social media for my mental health, thank you,” penned “That girl,” Jordan Chiles, right after the verdict from the Court of Arbitration for Sports. The verdict pushed her to fifth place in the women’s vault final at the Paris Olympics after initially finishing third following an inquiry. Meanwhile, Romania’s Ana Barbosu was reinstated to third place, ultimately becoming the new bronze medal winner. Jordan anticipated the backlash, including facing online hatred once again, which is why she posted those lines. However, Aly Raisman believes that such an outcome should not have happened to Jordan.

Having faced bullying herself at a young age, the six-time Olympic medalist understands the toll it can take on an individual, especially someone like Jordan Chiles, who has had similar bitter experiences. So, being the sympathizer, Raisman said, “There’s been horrific bullying and I just feel for her” when she was asked to comment on this on the Today show. She knows the 23-year-old gymnast very well. So, each of her emotions came out, heart-touching, when she took Jordan’s side. 

Aly Raisman continued to put her emotions into words, “My heart’s going out to her. I support her fully and I’m just so sad and so disappointed that this is happening. and it’s just it’s unfair.” Notably, the veteran gymnast had to go through the same tunnel several times. Surprisingly, she faced unfair judging after her Rio Olympics gymnastics all-around silver title victory. 

In May 2017, the 30-year-old took X to describe one of her fateful experiences. She claimed that two individuals subjected her to body-shaming at the airport in the security checking section. As per Aly, one male had doubted her gymnastics persona because of her physique. She had to hear “I don’t see any muscles,” from that individual. That wrenched her from the inside. The “Fierce Five” captain felt “sick of this judgemental generation”. “Get over yourself. Are you kidding me?? It’s 2017. When will this change?” was her reaction. And now it is 2024, and the bullying is very much present. But thankfully, Jordan Chiles has several supporting voices behind her, which Aly Raisman missed in 2017. 

The gymnastics fraternity throws its weight behind Jordan Chiles 

Although there could be faces abusing Jordan Chiles online, in real-time, the fraternity is with her. At the same women’s vault final, Chiles’ bff Simone Biles took the silver medal. As she stood at the podium along with her best mate, in this gloomy phase, she acted the same role, standing firm beside Jordan Chiles’ side. 

Just after the verdict came, Simone Biles posted, “Sending you so much love, Jordan, Keep your chin up Olympic champ, we love you.” So did Suni Lee, Jordan’s other teammate. 

The former Olympic all-around champion wrote in her message for the all-around team gold medalist: “All this talk about the athlete, what about the judges? Completely unacceptable, this is awful and I’m gutted for Jordan.” Meanwhile, Jordan’s mother, Gina Chiles, had put a firm note, even before the verdict came, “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.”  All these individuals let Jordan Chiles feel that she’s not alone in this fight for survival.