USA Gymnastics: Video Proves Chiles Inquiry Met Deadline

Here’s a look at how Chiles and two Romanian athletes got wrapped up in a scoring controversy that has been painful for all three.

PARIS, France — U.S. Olympic officials have announced plans to appeal a decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) that led to American gymnast Jordan Chiles being required to return the bronze medal she earned in the Paris Olympics floor exercise event.

CAS invalidated an on-floor appeal by Chiles’ coach, citing that the appeal was lodged 4 seconds past the permitted 1-minute window for score inquiries.

The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) stated it would adhere to the court’s decision, thus promoting Romanian Ana Barbosu to third place. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed the ruling and announced that Barbosu would be awarded the bronze medal from last Monday’s women’s floor final.

“We firmly believe that Jordan rightfully earned the bronze medal,” read a statement from the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC). “Critical errors occurred in both the initial FIG scoring and the CAS appeal process.”

CAS ruled that Team USA coach Cecile Landi’s inquiry for an addition of 0.1 to Chiles’ score was outside the allowed timeframe. The inquiry was said to be made 1 minute, 4 seconds after Chiles’ score was posted.

USA Gymnastics submitted video evidence indicating that the inquiry was made within the 1-minute deadline. According to USA Gymnastics’ statement, the initial inquiry was placed 47 seconds after the score was posted and reiterated 55 seconds afterward.

The IOC mentioned it would contact the USOPC to arrange the return of Chiles’ bronze medal and coordinate with the Romanian Olympic Committee for a ceremony to honor Barbosu.

Uncertainty surrounds the exact process for the USOPC’s appeal, which could be taken to either Switzerland’s highest court, the Swiss Tribunal, or the European Court of Human Rights.

CAS recommended restoring the initial finishing order—Barbosu third, Romanian Sabrina Maneca-Voinea fourth, and Chiles fifth. They left it to FIG to finalize the rankings, considering the decisions above.

This quick progression of events has been stressful for all three athletes involved. Romanian gymnastics legend Nadia Comaneci raised concerns for Barbosu’s mental health, given the sequence in which she shifted from bronze medalist to a fourth-place finisher.

“I can’t believe we play with athletes mental health and emotions like this… let’s protect them,” Comaneci posted on social media.

Comaneci also criticized the judges for penalizing Maneca-Voinea’s routine with a 0.1 deduction for stepping out of bounds, though video replays suggested otherwise. CAS denied an appeal by the Romanian Olympic Committee to contest this judgment.

Chiles, visibly impacted by the ruling, hinted at her distress in an Instagram story, saying she is taking a break from social media for mental health reasons.

“Sending you so much love Jordan,” American gymnast Simone Biles posted on Instagram. “Keep your chin up ‘Olympic champ,’ we love you.” Six-time Olympic medalist Sunisa Lee added, “Completely unacceptable, this is awful and I’m gutted for Jordan.”

USA Gymnastics expressed profound disappointment about the ruling, emphasizing that the inquiry into Chiles’ Difficulty Value was made in good faith and believed to be compliant with FIG rules.

Originally, Barbosu and Maneca-Voinea were outside the medals, both scoring 13.700. Barbosu celebrated prematurely, thinking she secured bronze due to a tiebreaker. Chiles, the last to perform, initially scored 13.666, which placed her fifth. An inquiry by Landi changed that.

Barbosu, after returning to Romania, expressed that the controversy was not personal. “We only want to perform the best we can and to be rewarded based on our performance,” she told reporters, emphasizing that the issue lies with the judges.

Chiles’ family and teammates have shown strong support. “My daughter is a highly decorated Olympian with the biggest heart and a level of sportsmanship that is unmatched,” wrote her mother, Gina Chiles.

The controversy has complicated what had been a celebratory and viral moment on the medal podium, where Chiles and Biles knelt to honor Brazilian star Rebeca Andrade.

“It was just the right thing to do,” Biles said about the gesture, which was widely appreciated online.

Associated Press writers Stephen McGrath, Eddie Pells, and Graham Dunbar contributed to this report.