USA Gymnastics appears to have lost its fight against a ruling by the Center of Arbitration for Sport regarding Jordan Chiles’ bronze medal.
The gymnastics federation has appealed CAS’s ruling that Chiles should have her score for the floor exercise in the 2024 Paris Olympics reverted to a score of 13.66 and dropped from third to fifth in the standings. The CAS stated that the U.S. coaches asked for her 0.1 point back four seconds late.
USA Gymnastics claimed that video evidence contradicted the score and requested the CAS to reinstate Chiles’ score. The request for the review of newly discovered evidence was denied.
The federation released a statement Monday saying that the Court of Arbitration for Sport informed USA Gymnastics on Monday of the fact that the rules of the CAS do not permit an arbitral decision to be reviewed, even if conclusive evidence has been presented.
We are disappointed and will appeal to the Swiss Federal Tribunal, as well as other avenues, to ensure that Jordan receives the right score, placement, and medal.
After her performance last week, Chiles’ score has been changed from 13.6666 to 13.766. This boosted her ranking from fifth to third, ahead of Romanians Ana Barbosu & Sabrina ManecaVoinea. In the final seconds, an investigation by the U.S. led to a change in score.
Romanian officials protested, and CAS ruled on Saturday that Chiles’s score should be reverted to 13.666 as U.S. Coaches missed the deadline for filing the inquiry by just four seconds. The final decision will be made by the International Gymnastics Federation.
The IOC decided early on Sunday that Chiles would have to return her bronze medal. USA Gymnastics has said that it is not to be rushed. The organization claimed that they had video evidence that showed that coaches made at least two inquiries within the time limit.
Barbosu blamed the officials for the whole ordeal in a Sunday statement.
“Sabrina and Jordan, I am thinking of you. I understand what you’re feeling because I have been there. But I know you will come back stronger,” wrote the actress in an Instagram post. “I hope with all my heart that we will share the podium at the next Olympics. This is my dream.
“The situation wouldn’t have happened if the people in charge had followed the regulations. The hatred directed at us as athletes is hurtful. We are not to blame. I wanted to finish this edition of the Olympic Games Paris in 2024 with the spirit of Olympism as the true value of the World.”
