Jordan Chiles Faces Possible Bronze Medal Revocation After Sports Court Ruling on Late Score Challenge

The score change and subsequent challenge have added an element of drama and heartbreak to the competition.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Olympic bronze medalist Jordan Chiles may have to return her medal after the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled against her appeal related to the women’s floor exercise final. This decision adds another dramatic twist to the event’s controversial conclusion.

The ruling, issued Saturday, confirmed that the U.S. team challenged Chiles’ score four seconds too late, and her original score would be reinstated. According to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, the inquiry exceeded the 1-minute deadline.

USA Gymnastics expressed their disappointment on social media, stating that they were “devastated” by the decision. “The inquiry into the Difficulty Value of Jordan Chiles’ floor exercise routine was filed in good faith and in accordance with FIG rules to ensure accurate scoring,” the statement read. USA Gymnastics condemned the social media attacks on Chiles and reiterated their support for her.

Chiles was the last competitor in the floor exercise finals on Monday. Initially, it seemed she would miss out on a medal, but a brief delay saw her score adjusted, propelling her to a bronze medal position. She initially received a 13.666 from the judges, placing her fifth. An inquiry into the difficulty score briefly elevated her to third, displacing Romanians Ana Barbosu and Sabrina Maneca-Voinea.

Barbosu was visibly shocked when she saw the scoring change and walked off in tears. This incident echoes a similar situation during the 2012 Olympics when Aly Raisman’s score was adjusted after an appeal. Such inquiries challenge the score based on the execution and difficulty components, reviewed through video analysis. If upheld, the appeal fee is refunded.

Romanian gymnastics legend Nadia Comaneci criticized the handling of the situation, stating, “I can’t believe we play with athletes’ mental health and emotions like this… let’s protect them.” The Romanian delegation launched an inquiry, prompting CAS to review the case.

Romania’s Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu announced he would boycott the Paris Olympics’ closing ceremony due to what he termed a “scandalous situation.” Ciolacu pledged Romania would honor Barbosu and fifth-place finisher Maneca-Voinea as Olympic medalists.

The next steps for the U.S. appeal remain unclear. The decision from CAS might be final, adding uncertainty to the resolution of this dramatic episode in Olympic gymnastics.