Simone Biles voices support for Jordan Chiles amid controversy over floor routine bronze medal

Amidst the ongoing controversy over who gets the bronze medal for the women’s gymnastics floor routine at the 2024 Paris Olympics, United States star Simone Biles expressed her support for teammate Jordan Chiles. Chiles is at the center of the ongoing dispute.

After originally finishing fifth, Chiles was moved up to third and awarded bronze when U.S. coaches lodged an scoring appeal that bumped the American on to the podium. That dropped Romanian Ana Barbosu off the podium, causing an appeal that led to a decision from the Court of Arbitration for Sport seemingly set to strip Chiles of the bronze.

But Biles, no matter what, has Chiles’ back.

“Sending you so much love Jordan,” Biles said in an Instagram story, with another white heart emoji, “keep your chin up Olympic champ! We love you!

Along with Biles, Chiles also has the backing of Team USA, but that might not matter as the decision has now been handed off to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

More on the dispute over bronze for the women’s floor routine

The drama surrounding the bronze medal for the women’s gymnastics floor routine at the 2024 Paris Olympics will apparently be resolved by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), according to the Houston Chronicle’s Danielle Lerner. A decision was previously expected from the International Federation of Gymnastics (FIG).

And the subsequent appeals by the Romanians appeared to result in a decision on Saturday that seemed set to then drop Chiles from the podium. Now, though, the final decision about the bronze medal for the women’s gymnastics floor routine will fall to the IOC.

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.

“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.