US Gymnast Jordan Chiles Loses Bronze Medal in Floor Exercise After CAS Ruling

US Gymnast Jordan Chiles Loses Bronze Medal in Floor Exercise After CAS Ruling

US gymnast Jordan Chiles has been stripped of her bronze medal in the women’s floor exercise at the Paris Olympics after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled that the judging panel improperly granted an inquiry that moved her up from fifth place.

The decision, announced on Saturday, awarded the bronze medal to 18-year-old Romanian Ana Barbosu. Chiles, who had initially finished fifth, was upgraded to third place after the inquiry, but CAS ruled that the appeal was submitted past the one-minute deadline and should not have been granted.

Chiles expressed her devastation on Instagram, posting four broken hearts and announcing her withdrawal from social media for her mental health. Her teammate, Simone Biles, offered support, saying, “Keep your chin up Olympic champ! We love you!”

The Romanian Gymnastics Federation and gymnasts Barbosu and Sabrina Maneca-Voinea had filed appeals, arguing that Chiles’s inquiry was untimely. CAS agreed, reinstating Chiles’s original score of 13.666, which placed her fifth.

Barbosu, who had initially thought she had won bronze with a score of 13.700, was left in tears after the ruling. She expressed disbelief and joy at being awarded the medal, Romania’s only in the gymnastics competition.

Scoring inquiries are common in gymnastics, but the CAS ruling highlights the importance of adhering to the rules and deadlines. Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu called the situation a “scandalous situation” and announced his boycott of the Olympic closing ceremony.

USA Gymnastics and the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee expressed their disappointment with the ruling, stating that the inquiry was filed in good faith and in accordance with FIG rules. They condemned the online attacks against Chiles and reaffirmed their support for her.

The drama unfolded in the final event of gymnastics competition at Bercy Arena on Monday. The CAS ruling has left Chiles without a medal in the floor exercise, while Barbosu has been awarded the bronze.