Wat-Not Staff
Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles is determined to win back her bronze medal after a controversial ruling during the Paris 2024 Olympics. Despite securing third place in the floor exercise event, an official protest about scoring timing cost Chiles her spot on the podium.
Chiles, supported by her team and coach, argues that this decision was unfair and is pursuing legal avenues to reclaim the medal.Chiles spoke out about the emotional toll this dispute has taken. “It’s hard to tell yourself everything is going to be fine when we literally didn’t do anything wrong,” she shared on NBC’s “TODAY” show.
Chiles says video evidence shows her coach, Cecile Landi, protested within the 60-second deadline, contradicting the ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) which claims the protest was four seconds late.
Chiles still holds the bronze medal physically, but officially her position is recorded as fifth. Her fight has garnered support from USA Gymnastics and the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, who joined her appeal to Switzerland’s Supreme Court.
For Chiles, the bronze represents more than an achievement; it symbolizes a history-making moment in which she and two other Black gymnasts stood on the podium together.
Controversial Decision Sparks Legal Battle and Public Support
Chiles originally placed fifth but received a revised score following a confirmed judging error, moving her up to third. However, on the final day of the Olympics, CAS reversed her bronze medal, awarding it to Romanian gymnast Ana Bărbosu. CAS based its ruling on the timing of her coach’s protest, which they said exceeded the 60-second limit, though Chiles and her team insist otherwise.
Alongside her legal battle, Chiles has faced a wave of online criticism, including racist remarks. The gymnast, whose mother is Latina and father is Black, has openly addressed this additional layer of stress, explaining how this experience has tested her resilience. “I can only control what my truth is,” she said, adding that she remains committed to defending her rightfully earned position.
When asked why this particular medal means so much, Chiles explained it marked a personal milestone and a significant cultural moment. “It was like a cherry on top. My redemption tour going into Paris was ‘Yes,’” she said. The podium, filled with Black athletes, represented a first in Olympic history, a fact Chiles said makes the medal all the more meaningful.
Looking Forward: Chiles Considers Next Steps
Although the legal battle continues, Chiles remains optimistic, seeing this as just one part of her journey. Her appeal will proceed as she stands by her evidence and her story. “I’ll be able to overcome this and look back and say, ‘That was just a portion of my story, but it’s the truth,’” she reflected.
As for her athletic future, Chiles has yet to confirm whether she will compete in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. “LA is in and out of my mind,” she said, focusing now on the aftermath of Paris and taking each day as it comes. Regardless of the outcome, Chiles has shown resilience and determination that many admire, transforming this ordeal into a testament to her strength as an athlete and individual.
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