The IOC and USOC on Crossroads Over Jordan Chiles’ Bronze In Gymnastics

USA Gymnastics officials have announced that an arbitration panel will not revisit its decision requiring gymnast Jordan Chiles to return the bronze medal she earned in the floor exercise at the Paris Olympics. USA Gymnastics makes efforts to let Jordan Chiles keep her Paris Olympic 2024 bronze in the floor exercise despite IOC’s demand.

CAS invalidated an on-floor appeal from Jordan Chiles’ coach, which had moved her to third place. This was done because the appeal was filed 4 seconds past the one-minute limit for scoring inquiries.

USA Gymnastics makes efforts to keep Jordan’s medal

USA Gymnastics contested this timing, stating they provided video evidence to CAS showing that Team USA coach Cecile Landi made the appeal 13 seconds before the deadline. This dispute over timing could potentially lead to a lengthy legal battle regarding the gymnastics scores.

“USA Gymnastics was notified by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Monday that their rules do not allow for an arbitral award to be reconsidered even when conclusive new evidence is presented,” USA Gymnastics said in a statement. 

“We are deeply disappointed by the notification and 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.”

International Gymnastics Association to “respect” the court’s orders

The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) announced Saturday night that it would honor the court’s decision by elevating Romania’s Ana Barbosu to third place. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed the ruling on Sunday and stated that it would reallocate the medal. 

CAS determined that the appeal from Team USA coach Cecile Landi to add 0.1 to Jordan Chiles’ score was submitted 1 minute and 4 seconds after the initial score was posted, exceeding the one-minute limit. 

The IOC will coordinate with the USOPC for the return of Chiles’ bronze and work with the Romanian Olympic Committee on a reallocation ceremony for Barbosu. Rebeca Andrade of Brazil won gold, and Simone Biles of the U.S. secured silver.

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