Jordan Chiles speaks out for first time since being stripped of medal
Jordan Chiles, the Team USA gymnast who’s been told to return the bronze medal she won in Paris, is speaking out publicly for the first time since the heartbreaking turn of events.
"I have no words," she said in the statement posted to X, formerly Twitter. "This decision feels unjust and comes as a significant blow, not just to me, but to everyone who has championed my journey. To add to the heartbreak, the unprompted racially driven attacks on social media are wrong and extremely hurtful. I’ve poured my heart and soul into this sport and I am so proud to represent my culture and my country."
Chiles was the last athlete to compete in the floor exercise final and initially given a score of 13.666 that placed her fifth. Team USA coach Cecile Landi appealed the score during the competition, which raised her score by .1 points and boosted Chiles to third.
Bronze medalist Jordan Chiles of Team United States celebrates after the Artistic Gymnastics Womens Floor Exercise Final on day ten of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at the Bercy Arena on August 5, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Tom Weller/VOIGT/Gett
The Olympics Court of Arbitration voided that appeal days later, saying it came outside of the 1-minute window allowed to challenge scores. Romanian gymnast Ana Barbosu moved up to third place after the ruling, and the International Olympic Committee said Chiles should return her bronze medal.
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After the ruling, Chiles posted on Instagram that she was heartbroken and taking time off social media to tend to her mental health. On Thursday, she released a lengthy statement.
"I will never waver from my values of competing with integrity, striving for excellence, upholding the values of sportsmanship and the rules that dictate fairness," Chiles said. "I have taken pride in cheering on everyone regardless of team or country. Finding joy again has been a culture shift and I love seeing others embrace it. I feel like I have given everyone permission to be authentic to who they are."
The American gymnastics federation said new video evidence showed that the inquiry from Team USA Coach Landi was made within the necessary window, but officials say an arbitration panel won’t reconsider the decision.
USA Gymnastics says it will continue efforts to let Chiles keep the medal.
"I am now confronted with one of the most challenging moments of my career," Chiles said. "Believe me when I say I have had many. I will approach this challenge as I have others – and will make every effort to ensure that justice is done. I believe that at the end of this journey, the people in control will do the right thing."