Jordan Chiles Stripped of Bronze Medal in 2024 Olympics Floor Exercise
The International Olympic Committee says Jordan Chiles must return the bronze medal she won at the 2024 Olympics after a court invalided her coach’s inquiry that had raised her floor exercise score.
Jordan Chiles must return the bronze medal she won at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the International Olympic Committee says.
The group’s decision comes one day after the Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled to invalidate an inquiry from the U.S. athlete’s coach that had raised her individual floor exercise final routine score to boost her from fifth to third place. The International Gymnastics Federation then modified the rankings to elevate Romania’s Ana Barbosu to the No. 3 spot.
“Following the CAS decision with regard to the Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Floor Exercise Final and the amendment of the ranking by the International Gymnastics Federation,” the IOC said in a statement to NBC News Aug. 11. “The IOC will reallocate the bronze medal to Ana Barbosu (Romania).”
They organization continued, “We are in touch with the NOC of Romania to discuss the reallocation ceremony and with USOPC regarding the return of the bronze medal.”
The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee says it would appeal the decision to return Chiles’ bronze medal, the first individual Olympic medal she has ever received, which followed two golds she helped Team USA earn at gymnastics team all-around finals in Paris and at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
“We firmly believe that Jordan rightfully earned the bronze medal,” the group said in a statement Aug. 11, according to multiple outlets, “and there were critical errors in both the initial scoring by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) and the subsequent CAS appeal process that need to be addressed.”
In its ruling, the court had accepted an appeal from Barbosu, teammate Sabrina Maneca-Voinea—who ranked behind her in the floor exercise final—and the Romanian Gymnastics Federation. They had argued that Chiles’ coach had submitted the score inquiry four seconds beyond a one-minute time limit. They also sought a three-way tie for third and medals for all three gymnasts.
In their statement, the USOPC said, “The initial error occurred in the scoring by FIG, and the second error was during the CAS appeal process, where the USOPC was not given adequate time or notice to effectively challenge the decision. As a result, we were not properly represented or afforded the opportunity to present our case comprehensively.”
Naomi Baker/Getty ImagesThe USOPC said that “given these circumstances, we are committed to pursuing an appeal to help Jordan Chiles receive the recognition she deserves. We remain dedicated to supporting her as an Olympic champion and will continue to work diligently to resolve this matter swiftly and fairly.”
Two potential places the USOPC could take such an appeal are Switzerland’s highest court, the Swiss Tribunal, or the European Court of Human Rights, the Associated Press reported.
Following the ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, Chiles, who has been dealing with hateful comments on social media in recent days amid the dispute, shared a series of broken heart emojis on social media.
“I am taking this time and removing myself from social media for my mental health,” the 23-year-old wrote on her Instagram Stories Aug. 10. “Thank you.”
And her teammates, family, friends and fans have rallied behind her.
“Sending you so much love Jordan,” Simone Biles wrote on her Instagram Stories Aug. 10. “Keep your chin up Olympic champ! We love you.”
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