A legal battle is brewing over a bronze medal awarded to gymnast Jordan Chiles at the Paris Olympics. Despite a successful appeal that initially vaulted her to third place in the floor exercise, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled that the appeal was filed too late, voiding Chiles’ win.
The CAS panel determined that Chiles’ coach, Cecile Landi, submitted the appeal four seconds past the one-minute time limit for scoring inquiries. While USA Gymnastics contests the timing, claiming they submitted video evidence proving Landi appealed 13 seconds before the deadline, the CAS upheld their initial decision.
This decision has left Chiles, who originally finished fifth in the event, facing the potential loss of her medal. The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) has already announced they would elevate Ana Barbosu of Romania to third place, a decision confirmed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
In response, USA Gymnastics has vowed to continue fighting for Chiles, saying they will exhaust all legal avenues, including appealing to the Swiss Federal Tribunal. The organization expressed deep disappointment in the CAS decision, emphasizing their commitment to ensuring a fair scoring system and a just outcome for Jordan.
Meanwhile, the IOC has indicated they will work with the US Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) on the return of Chiles’ medal and with the Romanian Olympic Committee on a medal reallocation ceremony for Barbosu.
The situation highlights the intense scrutiny and potential for controversy within the world of competitive gymnastics, particularly when it comes to scoring and appeals. With the potential for a protracted legal battle, the outcome of this dispute remains uncertain, leaving Chiles’ future with her bronze medal hanging in the balance.
