In a surprising turn of events at the 2024 Paris Olympics, American gymnast Jordan Chiles has been ordered to return the bronze medal she initially secured in the women’s floor exercise final. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced on Sunday that the medal would be reallocated to Romania’s Ana Bărbosu after determining that the scoring inquiry, which increased Chiles’ score, was submitted four seconds after the deadline.
The Controversy
The incident unfolded during the floor exercise final on August 5, where Chiles originally finished fifth with a score of 13.666.After the United States submitted a scoring inquiry,requesting a review of the difficulty rating for her routine, Chiles’ score was revised to 13.766.. This revision propelled her from fifth to third place, surpassing the Romanian duo of Ana Bărbosu and Sabrina Voinea, who had been tied at 13.700.
However, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled on Saturday that the inquiry was submitted four seconds after the one-minute deadline stipulated by Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG) rules. As a result, the CAS invalidated the score adjustment, and the FIG promptly amended the official standings.
IOC’s Decision
The IOC confirmed it would facilitate the return of the bronze medal from Chiles and reallocate it to Bărbosu. In a statement, the IOC noted that it would coordinate with the U.S. Olympic Committee to ensure the medal’s return and oversee the reallocation process with the Romanian Olympic Committee.
Reactions and Aftermath
The decision has sparked disappointment within the U.S. gymnastics community. USA Gymnastics expressed its dismay on social media, emphasizing that the inquiry had been filed “in good faith” and was intended to “ensure accurate scoring.” The organization shared a photograph of Chiles on Sunday with the caption “Forever THAT GIRL,” standing by their athlete despite the ruling.
Chiles, who had briefly celebrated her unexpected rise to the podium, now faces the emotional challenge of relinquishing her medal. The ruling has also reignited discussions about the strict timing regulations surrounding scoring inquiries and their impact on athletes’ results.
As the reallocation process moves forward, Ana Bărbosu will now officially be recognized as the bronze medalist in the floor exercise, marking a significant achievement for the Romanian gymnast and her team.
Also Read- Controversial Fan Kiss on Tom Cruise at Paris Olympics Sparks Debate
