2024-08-16 21:58:25
American gymnast Jordan Chiles said she was left heartbroken after the decision to strip her of her bronze medal from the Olympics. Chiles says she has been the victim of racial slurs on social media.
The gymnast was awarded the bronze medal for the floor exercise at the Paris Olympics after her coach appealed her result. Chiles initially took the fifth position in the final ranking, and after the appeal rose to the honorable third place, displacing the Romanian Ana Barbosu. Subsequently, the Romanian Olympic Committee stated that the appeal was filed 4 seconds after the end of the one-minute limit.
As a result, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) canceled the American’s appeal and the International Olympic Committee obliged her to return the medal. Thus, the Romanian athlete is returned to third place, while Chiles falls back to fifth. The Romanian delegation insisted that both athletes be awarded with bronze medals, writes “Guardian”.
TBF the Romanian Fed specifically requested in their CAS complaint that Chiles gets to keep her medal too. They said it’s not her fault the judges messed up.
— Olé Biscuit Barrel on Bluesky (@ASlightReturn1) August 10, 2024
After the decision, the American withdrew from social media, but returned on Thursday to explain the effect the situation had on her.
“I have no words. I feel this decision is unfair and a serious blow not only to me, but to everyone who has supported me on this journey,” Chiles wrote. “In addition to being devastated, the unprovoked racial slurs on social media break my heart . They are extremely painful and incorrect.”
USA Gymnastics presents evidence showing that Chiles’ appeal occurred within the time limit. The Court of Arbitration for Sport rejected her appeal, saying their decision could not be changed “unless compelling new evidence is presented”.
— Jordan Chiles (@ChilesJordan) August 15, 2024
The gymnast says she will continue to fight for her bronze medal. She also won a gold medal in the team competition along with her teammates on the American team.
“I will approach this challenge as I do others. I will make every possible effort to make sure I get justice. I believe that at the end of this adventure, the people in control will do the right thing,” she wrote.
USA Gymnastics can take the case to the Swiss Federal Tribunal, which can hear their appeals against CAS decisions, although the tribunal rarely overturns such decisions.
Information also emerged that the head of the CAS panel responsible for Jordan’s case, Dr. Hamid G. Gharavi, was doing legal work for the Romanian government. KAS tells the New York Times that Gharavi disclosed that he worked for the Romanian government, and none of the parties in Chiles’ hearing objected.
To all the fans around the world please STOP attacking these young ladies .. it is unacceptable and cruel🙏🙏 #barbosu #chiles #voinea https://t.co/RzkEFwjhnV
— Nadia Comaneci (@nadiacomaneci10) August 10, 2024
Former Olympic champion Nadia Comaneci says the saga has affected all the gymnasts involved.
“I can’t believe that we are playing with the emotions and mental health of athletes like this… Let’s protect them,” reads a post by Komanevi on the X platform last week.