Jordan Chiles forced to return bronze medal as USA Gymnastics left ‘devastated’ by controversial ruling
US gymnast Jordan Chiles will be forced to return the bronze medal she won in the individual floor.
Chiles finished third behind Rebeca Andrade and teammate Simone Biles after her coach submitted an inquiry.
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Jordan Chiles, right, shared a podium with Simone Biles and Rebeca AndradeCredit: GettyShe had originally finished fifth but they believed the judges had scored her routine incorrectly.
After the inquiry, one-tenth was added to her score, moving her into third place as they decided she should have had full credit on a leap that involved a 540-degree turn in the air.
However, the inquiry needed to be submitted within one minute of it finishing.
READ MORE ON OLYMPICS Now, after dispute from Romanian gymnast Ana Barbosu, the Court of Arbitration for sport ruled the inquiry came four seconds too late and the European should have kept bronze.
And the International Olympic Committee have upheld the decision.
“The IOC will reallocate the bronze medal to Ana Barbosu (Romania),” the IOC said in a statement. “We are in touch with the NOC of Romania to discuss the reallocation ceremony and with USOPC regarding the return of the bronze medal.”
Chiles is now taking a social media break as she focuses on her mental health after such a trying saga.
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“We are devastated by the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling,” read a joint statement from the USA Gymnastics and the US Olympic & Paralympic Committee.
“The inquiry into the Difficulty Value of Jordan Chiles’ floor exercise routine was filed in good faith and, we believed, in accordance with the 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.
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USA Gymnastics issued a statement supporting ChilesCredit: x@USAGym”We commend Jordan for conducting herself with integrity both on and off the competition floor, and we continue to stand by and support her.”
Romania’s Barbosu was set to win bronze before Chiles was elevated.
Simone Biles took silver for Team USA, while Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade won gold.
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Jazmin Chiles took to Instagram to support her sisterCredit: instagram@jsolovely_
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Jazmin pointed out that medals are rarely stripped in the OlympicsCredit: instagram@jsolovely_A viral moment followed, with Biles and Chiles bowing to Andrade.
That moment was set up by the USA stars joyously celebrating once Chiles learned she was winning a surprising bronze in the 2024 Olympics.
Read More on talkSPORT”She was, is, and will always be a QUEEN!” one fan tweeted. “She did NOTHING wrong and doesn’t deserve this.”
“Incredibly disappointing,” a second fan wrote.
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