Jordan Chiles breaks silence on Court’s decision to strip her Olympic bronze medal: ‘Devastating, unjust'
Jordan Chiles has spoken up about the Court’s rule to strip her Olympic bronze medal, saying that she’s “devastated” and that the decision “feels unjust.”
The 23-year-old American gymnast took to her Instagram account on Friday, Aug. 16 (Philippine time) to share her statement on the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruling to reinstate her previous score that landed her in the fifth spot in the individual floor exercise competition.
Chiles began her statement by saying she is "overwhelmed by the love" she's received amid the appeals with the Olympic committees regarding the results of the women's floor final held on Aug. 5 during the Paris Olympics.
"I am also incredibly grateful to my family, teammates, coaches, fans, USAG, and the USOPC for their unwavering support during this difficult time," she continued. "While celebrating my Olympic accomplishments, I heard the devastating news that my bronze medal had been stripped away."
She added that she "had confidence in the appeal brought by USAG, who gave conclusive evidence that my score followed all the rules,” however, the “appeal was unsuccessful."
"I have no words," Chiles lamented. "This decision feels unjust and comes as a significant blow, not just to me, but to everyone who has championed my journey," she continued.
The gymnast also called out the “racially driven attacks” she has been receiving on social media amid the situation.
"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,” she wrote.
Chiles stressed: "I will never waver from my values of competing with integrity, striving for excellence, upholding the values of sportsmanship and the rules that dictate fairness.”
“I have taken pride in cheering on everyone regardless of team or country. Finding joy again has been a culture shift and I love seeing others embrace it. I feel like I have given everyone permission to be authentic to who they are,” she added.
Chiles also described the conflict as “one of the most challenging moments of [her] career," and that she will approach the challenge similarly to how she faced the previous ones over the years.
"I will approach this challenge as I have others — and 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," Chiles concluded.
This comes a few days after the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) declared Romania’s Ana Barbosu the bronze medalist in the floor exercise event.
It said the "American's inquiry came outside the allotted time and is therefore invalid, reverting her score to 13.666."
"The inquiry submitted on behalf of Ms. Jordan Chiles in the Final of the women's Floor exercise was raised after the conclusion of the one-minute deadline provided by article 8.5 of the 2024 FIG Technical Regulations and is determined to be without effect," the decision read.
However, USA Gymnastics and the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee also issued a joint statement, stating that "inquiry into the Difficulty Value of Jordan Chiles' floor exercise routine was filed in good faith" and "in accordance with FIG rules."
Following this, Barbosu empathized with the American gymnast as well as her fellow teammate Sabrina Maneca-Voinea.
“My thoughts are with you. I know what you are feeling because I've been through the same. But I know you'll come back stronger," Barbosu began.
The 18-year-old athlete said that the "situation would not have existed if the persons in charge had respected the regulation," hence, they do not deserve the "hate" from other people.
This year’s Games marks Chiles’ second time. She earned a gold for the women’s team all-around alongside other members, Simone Biles, Suni Lee, Jade Carey, and Hezly Rivera. The stripped bronze medal for the individual floor exercise competition would have been her first solo medal.
