Jordan Chiles has finally spoken out after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) delivered a devastating blow by ruling to strip her of her Olympic bronze medal.
In a heartfelt statement shared on Instagram, the 23-year-old gymnast expressed her gratitude for the overwhelming support she has received during this challenging time. “I am overwhelmed by the love and encouragement that has surrounded me,” Chiles wrote, reflecting on the difficult journey of appeals with the Olympic committees concerning the controversial outcome of the women’s floor final at the Paris Summer Games on August 5.
Chiles, who has been an integral part of Team USA’s gymnastics success, shared how she has leaned on her loved ones during this ordeal. “I am incredibly grateful to my family, teammates, coaches, fans, USAG, and the USOPC for their unwavering support,” she stated on Thursday, August 15. “Just as I was celebrating my Olympic achievements, I received the heartbreaking news that my bronze medal had been taken away.”
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She expressed her disappointment in the appeal process, which she had placed her faith in. “I had confidence in the appeal brought by USAG, which provided conclusive evidence that my score was within the rules,” Chiles explained. “But in the end, the appeal was unsuccessful.”
The decision, which Chiles described as “unjust,” has left her feeling deeply hurt, not just for herself, but for everyone who has supported her journey. She also addressed the negativity she has faced in the wake of the ruling, highlighting the racially charged attacks she has endured online. “The unprovoked and racially driven attacks on social media have been incredibly painful. I’ve dedicated my life to this sport, and I’m proud to represent both my culture and my country.”
Despite this setback, Chiles remains committed to her principles. “I will never stray from my values of competing with integrity, striving for excellence, and upholding the principles of sportsmanship and fairness,” she declared. “I’ve always taken pride in cheering for everyone, regardless of their team or country. Rediscovering joy in the sport has been a transformative experience, and I love seeing others embrace that authenticity.”
Chiles, who also secured a gold medal in the team final alongside Simone Biles, Hezley Rivera, Jade Carey, and Sunisa Lee in Paris, acknowledged the difficulty of this moment, calling it “one of the most challenging” of her career.
However, she vowed to confront this challenge head-on, just as she has with past obstacles. “I will do everything in my power to ensure that justice is served. I have faith that those in control will ultimately make the right decision,” she concluded.
The CAS ruling on August 10 officially stripped Chiles of her bronze medal in the floor exercise, awarding it instead to Romanian gymnasts Ana Barbosu and Sabrina Maneca-Voinea, who had originally placed fourth and fifth. The ruling was based on a technicality, with the Romanian National Olympic Committee arguing that Chiles’ coach, Cecile Landi, had failed to submit an inquiry for a score adjustment within the one-minute deadline required by the FIG Technical Regulations.
“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 stated.
In the days following the decision, Chiles announced that she would be stepping away from social media to process the news, before finally breaking her silence with her August 15 statement.
