The aftermath of what happened during the gymnastics women’s floor exercise finals in Paris has left Jordan Chiles devastated. But let’s not forget, Ana Barbosu and Sabrina Voinea from Romania haven’t had it easy either. Originally handed to Ana Barbosu, the bronze medal did a quick switch to Jordan Chiles after Cecile Landi’s inquiry. But the drama didn’t stop there. Chiles dealt with cyberbullying and a CAS hearing, which flipped the medal back to Barbosu. Here’s where it gets juicy: 23-year-old Jordan Chiles is apparently keeping her medal, according to USA Today Sports’ Christine Brennan.

Even though the U.S. challenge came after the replay window had closed, Chiles is still in possession of that shiny bronze. Meanwhile, Ana Barbosu snagged her own bronze in a ceremony on August 16, courtesy of the IOC’s decision. A retired Olympic gold medalist has now weighed in, suggesting the IOC could have sidestepped this whole mess with a bit more savvy!

The situation with Jordan Chiles and the Romanians doesn’t make sense Rio 2016 gymnastics star

Laurie Hernandez stepped away from competition after winning team gold and an individual silver (balance beam) at the 2016 Olympics’ “Final Five” team. However, she didn’t distance herself from the sports. Her gymnastics knowledge has deepened thanks to becoming NBC’s live daytime commentator for Paris 2024. So, armed with a deeper understanding, Hernandez offered her two cents on the situation. “I’d prefer to keep my opinions out of it, because with commentary, that’s what makes things messy. Submitting inquiries is common… I’m not saying judges are faulty, but when you watch things in slow motion, of course you’re going to find something different,” Laurie Hernandez told Vulture about Jordan Chlies’ review. However, she also lamented Barbosu’s loss.

“Unfortunately, we watched on live television this poor Romanian girl getting crushed because she thought the medal was hers… Her hand is on her stomach, and you can watch her heartbreak.” said the empathetic retired gymnast. The debacle prompted an international response, with everyone from fans, athletes, and even the Romanian Prime Minister getting involved.

Sabrina Voinea claimed that her routine was superior to Jordan Chiles’ performance. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu boycotted the closing ceremony. Jordan Chiles received massive backlash from Romanian fans, and the drama continued to take unforeseen twists. The CAS panel that instructed Chiles to return her medal also came under fire.

News surfaced that Hamid G. Gharavi, who chaired the panel, has acted as a legal counsel for Romania for a decade. Yet, Hernandez believes it should’ve never come to this. “I teeter on ‘chaotic neutral’ and ‘chaotic good,’ but I’m more chaotic neutral in terms of wanting everyone to be happy. Give them all a medal, for hell’s sake. It doesn’t make sense to me,” added Hernandez. All hope is not yet lost for Jordan Chiles, in what could be another twist.

In what could be yet another twist, Could the decision once again change in Jordan Chiles’ favor?

While Laurie Hernandez believes Chiles should return her original medal as instructed, a ray of hope remains. The U.S. Olympic and Gymnastics Committee has refused to accept the CAS’s ruling after the Hamid G. Gharavi expose. Although the Court of Arbitration for Sports has refused to reopen the case in light of ‘new’ evidence secured after the hearing, there’s another way.

The U.S. officials are now mulling the decision to play their final ace. While CAS and IOC are bound to uphold the ruling, they may choose to challenge the decision to strip Jordan Chiles of her bronze in the Swiss Federal Tribunal. Is this why she is holding on to the Olympic bronze? Although the Tribunal also doesn’t deal with new evidence provided after the hearing, they famously reopened a case on Chinese swimmers in 2021.

Will Jordan Chiles have a similar lock if the official takes the case to the Tribunal? Well, that depends on how the U.S. Olympic and gymnastics committees decide to act! But what are your thoughts on the situation? Share in the comments below!