USA Gymnastics issues statement after Jordan Chiles’ bronze medal comes into question following appeal

USA Gymnastics has released a statement after Jordan Chiles’ bronze medal in the floor routine came into question. She initially finished fifth in the event, but moved up to third after an inquiry.

On Saturday, the Court of Arbitration ruled the judging panel improperly granted the inquiry, and a court in Switzerland ruled the appeal came in past the deadline. As a result, the judges shouldn’t have granted it, the court argued, and she might have to return the medal as a result.

In its statement, USA Gymnastics said the inquiry was filed in good faith. It also said Chiles has faced attacks on social media as a result of the situation.

Joint Statement from USA Gymnastics and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee regarding the CAS decision on the women’s floor final:

CAS Decision: https://t.co/KR6DYsfxEk pic.twitter.com/r1e6QKmKA4

— USA Gymnastics (@USAGym) August 10, 2024

“We are devastated by the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling regarding women’s floor exercise,” the statement read. “The inquiry into the Difficulty Value of Jordan Chiles’ floor exercise routine was filed in good faith and, we believed, in accordance with FIG rules to ensure accurate scoring.

“Throughout the appeal process, Jordan has been subject to consistent, utterly baseless and extremely hurtful attacks on social media. No athlete should be subject to such treatment. We condemn the attacks and those who engage, support or instigate them. We commend Jordan for conducting herself with integrity both on and off the competition floor, and we continue to stand by and support her.”

Chiles’ routine first appeared to put her in fifth behind two gymnasts tied for third with a score of 13.7. However, Team USA used an inquiry to double-check the UCLA star’s score, resulting in a boost to 13.766, taking her to third. Chiles won the bronze medal after taking home a gold in the women’s team finals.

As part of the fallout from the decision, Romanian prime minister Marcel Ciolacu said he plans to boycott Sunday’s closing ceremonies. Ana Barbosu was the gymnast who initially finished third and would’ve won the bronze medal before the inquiry moved Chiles into that spot.

“I decided not to attend the closing ceremony of the Paris Olympics, following the scandalous situation in the gymnastics, where our athletes were treated in an absolutely dishonorable manner,” Ciolacu said in a post on Facebook. “To withdraw a medal earned for honest work on the basis of an appeal… is totally unacceptable!”

When the moment happened in the arena, Barbosu, who had been celebrating with a Romanian flag around her shoulders, dropped the flag and quickly left the floor.

Ciolacu claimed international audiences were “literally shocked by this terrible scene” and argued it highlighted something wrong in the systems used to adjudicate the Olympics.