Jordan Chiles Faces Upsetting Outcome of Medal Revocation

Following a successful performance in the women’s gymnastics floor final at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Jordan Chiles secured a bronze medal, marking her first in an individual event. However, her victory was short-lived as the judges’ initial scores were reinstated, pushing her down to fifth place. This decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has left Chiles, her family, and teammates disheartened.

Chiles’ fate changed after her coach, Cecile Landi, raised concerns about her underscored performance during the finals on August 5. The judges acknowledged an error in calculating Chiles’ difficulty score and adjusted her points, placing her ahead of her Romanian competitors and boosting her to third place. Nevertheless, the Romanian team disputed the decision and, on August 10, CAS nullified Team USA’s appeal due to the inquiry being submitted a few seconds past the allotted time.

Despite a request from the Romanian contenders to share the bronze medal in a three-way tie, CAS did not approve this proposal. The International Olympic Committee will determine whether Chiles must return her medal. In the meantime, Chiles has chosen to stay out of the spotlight.

Following the medal revocation, Jordan Chiles decided to step away from social media due to the negative attention she received. On August 10, she announced her social media hiatus on Instagram Stories, citing the need for a mental health break.

Chiles’ family, including her sister Jazmin and mother Gina, defended her against racist remarks directed at her. They highlighted the unfair treatment Chiles faced and condemned the discriminatory attacks she endured. USA Gymnastics and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee also issued a statement denouncing the racist rhetoric and expressing support for Chiles.

In solidarity with Jordan Chiles, her Team USA Women’s Gymnastics teammates voiced their support after her medal was taken away. They offered encouraging messages, calling out the judging errors and expressing unwavering support for Chiles. The gymnasts emphasized the need to hold the judges accountable for the scoring discrepancies that led to the medal controversy.

Despite the challenges Chiles faced, her friends and family remain a pillar of strength for her, ensuring she knows she is valued and cherished within her community.