The 2024 Olympics may have concluded, but controversy still surrounds a disputed bronze medal. Jordan Chiles, who won gold with the US team in Paris, was initially awarded the bronze for her third-place finish in the floor event finals on August 5. However, the International Olympic Committee recently requested Chiles to return the medal, reallocating it to Romanian runner-up Ana Barbosu. Even when Chiles held the medal, at that that too she faced harsh criticism, including vile, racially driven attacks. Now, as the medal is stripped away, the emotional and psychological toll on Chiles intensifies. But she is ready to fight back!

nitially finishing fifth in the floor exercise in Paris, Jordan Chiles saw her score upgraded to third place after a successful appeal by the USA, moving her ahead of Romania’s Ana Barbosu. However, the Court of Arbitration for Sport later ruled that the appeal was improperly filed, coming 4 seconds past the one-minute window, and reverted her placement back to fifth.

In response to this setback and her earlier decision to step away from social media for mental health reasons, Chiles released a poignant statement on Instagram on August 15, expressing her feelings and thoughts on the matter. “This decision feels unjust and comes as a significant blow, not just to me, but to everyone who has championed my journey.”

She further added, “I am overwhelmed by the love I have received over the past few days. I am also incredibly grateful to my family, teammates, coaches, fans, USAG, and the USOPC for their unwavering support during this difficult time. While celebrating my Olympic accomplishments, I heard the devastating news that my bronze medal had been stripped away. I had confidence in the appeal brought by USAG, who gave conclusive evidence that my score followed all the rules. This appeal was unsuccessful.”

Jordan Chiles further revealed, “To add to the heartbreak, the unprompted racially driven attacks on social media are wrong and extremely hurtful. I’ve poured my heart and soul into this sport and I am so proud to represent my culture and my country.” Amid the ongoing medal controversy, Chiles announced she was taking a break from social media.

Her mother, Gina, voiced her frustration on Twitter, stating, “The racist disgusting comments are still happening in 2024. I’m tired of people who say it no longer exists. My daughter is a highly decorated Olympian with the biggest heart and a level of sportsmanship that is unmatched…and she’s being called disgusting things.” The relentless racism and Chiles’ need to shut down her public accounts cast a bleak shadow over what should have been a triumphant Olympic experience, tainting her achievement with a painful reminder of bigotry.

USA Gymnastics has pledged to continue fighting for Jordan Chiles, exploring all potential appeal options, including taking the case to the Swiss Federal Tribunal. In response to the support she has received, Chiles expressed her gratitude, saying, “I will approach this challenge as I have others—and I will make every effort to ensure that justice is done. I believe that at the end of this journey, the people in control will do the right thing.” But is there still a chance that Chiles could get her medal back?

CAS notification issues and alleged bias impact Jordan Chiles’ appeal

American officials have criticized the handling of Jordan Chiles’ case, arguing that CAS’s error in notifying the wrong representatives left them with less than 24 hours to prepare for the hearing. This tight timeframe “deprived us of adequate time to respond meaningfully or gather necessary evidence,” according to the U.S. Olympic Committee. As a result, they were unable to raise objections or address concerns about potential conflicts, such as Hamid Gharavi’s role as panel president, who has previously represented Romania.

CAS acknowledged the potential conflict but noted that no objections were filed. The USOPC has accused both the court and the International Gymnastics Federation of procedural errors, claiming that the rushed process hindered their ability to contest the ruling properly. Jordan Chiles remains the only gymnast to have an Olympic medal stripped due to administrative issues, highlighting a rare and contentious precedent. Despite this, USA Gymnastics is committed to pursuing all possible appeals, including to the Swiss Federal Tribunal. Fingers crossed that justice prevails and Jordan Chiles gets her fair shake in this high-stakes.