American gymnast Jordan Chiles is calling the loss of her bronze Olympic medal an “unjust” blow and “one of the most challenging moments of my career” after the International Olympic Committee said her third-place accolade in the women’s floor event belongs to a Romanian gymnast instead.
“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,” she said in a statement Thursday after the committee ruled in gymnast Ana Barbosu’s favor.
“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 so proud to present my culture and my country,” Chiles went on, addressing online attacks she’s experienced since her standing was questioned. It resulted in her needing to take a break from social media, she said in an Instagram story last week.
“I will never waver from my values of competing with integrity, striving for excellence, upholding the values of sportsmanship and the rules that dictate fairness,” she said, while expressing optimism that “justice” will be done. “I believe that at the end of this journey, the people in control will do the right thing,” she concluded.
In a statement to USA Today on Thursday morning, the International Olympic Committee said the adjusted ranking, which controversially moved Chiles to fifth place, is “binding on all the parties.”
“While a challenge in the Swiss Federal Supreme Court is still possible, the CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport) award is immediately enforceable and Ms. Barbosu is entitled to receive the bronze medal,” it said.
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Chiles was instructed to return her first solo medal in the individual floor final after Romania reportedly alleged that a score appeal made by USA Gymnastics, which initially bumped Chiles up to third place, was made beyond a one-minute deadline.
According to a review by The New York Times, the head of the panel that ruled against Chiles and in favor of the Romanian gymnast has represented Romania for almost a decade in arbitration cases.
The panel has not released much information on how it came to its decision though a more detailed explanation will eventually be sent to everyone involved, the Times reported.
USA Gymnastics, which governs the national body of gymnastics, said Monday that it was told that the decision cannot be reconsidered, “even when conclusive new evidence is presented.”
It added that it will “continue to pursue every possible avenue and appeal process, including to the Swiss Federal Tribunal, to ensure the just scoring, placement, and medal award for Jordan.”
