Gerrard Kaonga
Despite the calls for Jordan Chiles to return her medal, the gymnast may not end up doing so as the chaos around the incident continues to intensify
If you were not enthralled enough with the gymnastics during the 2024 Paris Olympics, the goings-on behind the scenes will certainly keep you on your toes.
For gymnastics in this year’s Olympics, the US was able to come away with an impressive total of nine medals.
However, Jordan Chiles has been ordered to return the bronze medal she received for her performance in the women's floor final.
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Following her floor exercise routine in Paris, Chiles was initially scored 13.666, landing her in fifth place. However, after USA Gymnastics Coach Cecile Landi raised an inquiry over Chiles’ difficulty score, she received another 0.1 of a point.
This was enough to push her past Romania’s Ana Bǎrbosu and USA's Sabrina Maneca-Voinea, who were tied, into third place and thus winning a bronze medal.
However, days later, it was argued by the Romanian team that Team USA's challenge of Chiles’ score came subsequent to the permissible replay window, according to a USA Today report.
When the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upheld Team Romania’s challenge, Chiles and USA Gymnastics were left trying to appeal the decision in a final bid to hold on to her medal.
But unfortunately for Chiles, US Olympic officials announced that CAS had declined to reconsider its decision, meaning Chiles was ordered to return her medal - which was re-awarded to Bǎrbosu.
However, according to reports by USA Today, Chiles returning the medal seems unlikely to happen at this stage and there are 'no plans' to return it - but there could be some form of resolution.
US officials say they intend to launch an appeal due to what the US Olympic & Paralympic Committee said were 'significant procedural errors' by the CAS.
The appeal is expected to go to the Swiss Federal Tribunal.
Chiles, who initially took a break from social media as the fallout of the medal debacle came to light, has returned to Instagram and weighed in on the situation.
In a post on social media on August 15, she said: “I have no words. This decision feels unjust and comes as a significant blow, not just to me, but to everyone who has championed my journey.
"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 proud to represent my culture and country.
“I will never waver from my values of competing with integrity, striving for 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.
“I am now confronted with one of the most challenging moments of my career. Believes me when I have I have had many. 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.”