The women’s gymnastics floor exercise final ended on a dramatic note at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Although Jordan Chiles, Rebeca Andrade and Simone Biles made history for making up the first Black female podium in the Olympics, Jordan’s bronze medal was challenged by Team Romania. Now, it’s unclear whether or not she is still the bronze medalist of the event. Below, Hollywood Life has compiled all the details about the drama, including whether she will keep the medal or if she has to return it.
Was Jordan Chiles Stripped of Her Bronze Medal?
After Jordan was awarded the bronze medal, the Romanian Olympic and Sports Committee filed a complaint to the International Gymnastics Federation, protesting the results of the women’s floor final. On August 11, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled in favor of Romania’s inquiry and announced that Jordan’s coach’s score inquiry was submitted four seconds too late.
“The inquiry submitted on behalf of Ms. Jordan Chiles in the Final of the women’s Floor exercise was raised after the conclusion of the one-minute deadline provided by article 8.5 of the 2024 FIG Technical Regulations and is determined to be without effect,” the ruling read.
Jordan’s initial score at the event was a 13.666. After the judges accepted her coach’s inquiry, they updated her score to a 13.766, effectively placing her ahead of Romanian gymnasts Ana Bărbosu and Sabrina Maneca-Voinea. Now that the CAS has accepted Romania’s complaint, Jordan’s score was reverted to a 13.666.
USA Gymnastics released a statement confirming that Jordan’s bronze medal status was removed.
“We are devastated by the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling regarding women’s floor exercise,” USAG’s statement read. “The inquiry into the Difficulty Value of Jordan Chiles’ floor exercise routine was filed in good faith and, we believed, in accordance with FIG rules to ensure accurate scoring. Throughout the appeal process, Jordan has been subject to consistent, utterly baseless and extremely hurtful attacks on social media. No athlete should be subject to such treatment. We condemn the attacks and those who engage, support or instigate them. We commend Jordan for conducting herself with integrity both on and off the competition floor, and we continue to stand by and support her.”
Jordan was subjected to cruel and derogatory comments on social media. Some online users accused her of cheating and claimed that she didn’t deserve the bronze medal.
Why Did Jordan Chiles Lose Her Medal?
After Jordan was initially labeled in fifth place, her coach, Cecile Landi, successfully submitted an inquiry that challenged the judges’ difficulty score. Ana was initially in third place and celebrated for what she believed was a victory, wrapping herself in the Romanian flag while running out to the floor. However, upon seeing the judges’ sudden score change, Ana walked away in tears and Jordan was announced the bronze medalist.
In an Instagram comment, Cecile explained what happened during the moments before the podium ceremony.
“Jordan’s highest possible [score value] on floor is a 5.9 — At quals and team finals, she received a 5.8 and we didn’t question it because we saw that not all elements were completed,” Cecile explained. “During floor finals, we thought [it] was better and being placed 5th with nothing to lose, I sent the inquiry so I wouldn’t regret not asking.”
On August 12, USAG announced that the CAS rejected its inquiry and ruled that Jordan lost her bronze medal.
“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,” USAG’s Instagram post read. “We are deeply disappointed by the notification and will pursue every possible avenue and appeal process, including to the Swiss Federal Tribunal, to ensure the just scoring, placement and medal award for Jordan.”
Does Jordan Have to Return the Medal?
According to the International Olympic Committee, Jordan will have to return her bronze medal. However, Team USA has challenged CAS’ ruling by submitting video evidence, allegedly confirming that the score inquiry was not submitted past the one-minute time frame.
“The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) will be appealing the recent decision made by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) regarding Jordan Chiles,” USOPC’s statement read. “We firmly believe that Jordan rightfully earned the bronze medal, and there were critical errors in both the initial scoring by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) and the subsequent CAS appeal process that need to be addressed.”
USAG also released a statement, claiming that coach Landi submitted the inquiry within the one-minute time frame that the scores were posted. However, upon the CAS’ latest update, Jordan will likely have to return her bronze medal.
What Have Ana Barbosu and Jordan Chiles Said About the Medal Change?
Shortly after the CAS accepted Romania’s inquiry, Jordan announced that she was taking a break from social media. Meanwhile, Ana took to her Instagram Stories, directly addressing her teammate, Sabrina, and Jordan.
“Sabrina, Jordan, my thoughts are with you,” Barbosu, 18, wrote in English across her Instagram Story. “I know what you are feeling, because I’ve been through the same. But I know you’ll come back stronger. I hope from deep [in] my heart that at the next Olympics, all three of us will share [the] same podium. This is my true dream!”