The women’s gymnastics floor exercise final ended on a dramatic note at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Although Jordan Chiles, Rebeca Andrade and Simone Biles made history for making up the first Black female podium in the Olympics, Jordan’s bronze medal was challenged by Team Romania. Now, it’s unclear whether or not she is still the bronze medalist of the event. Below, News47.us has compiled all the details about the drama, including whether she will keep the medal or if she has to return it.
After Jordan was awarded the bronze medal, the Romanian Olympic and Sports Committee filed a complaint to the International Gymnastics Federation, protesting the results of the women’s floor final. On August 11, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled in favor of Romania’s inquiry and announced that Jordan’s coach’s score inquiry was submitted four seconds too late.
“The inquiry submitted on behalf of Ms. Jordan Chiles in the Final of the women’s Floor exercise was raised after the conclusion of the one-minute deadline provided by article 8.5 of the 2024 FIG Technical Regulations and is determined to be without effect,” the ruling read.
Jordan’s initial score at the event was a 13.666. After the judges accepted her coach’s inquiry, they updated her score to a 13.766, effectively placing her ahead of Romanian gymnasts Ana Bărbosu and Sabrina Maneca-Voinea. Now that the CAS has accepted Romania’s complaint, Jordan’s score was reverted to a 13.666.
USA Gymnastics released a statement confirming that Jordan’s bronze medal status was removed.
“We are devastated by the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling regarding women’s floor exercise,” USAG’s statement read. “The inquiry into the Difficulty Value of Jordan Chiles’ floor exercise routine was filed in good faith and, we believed, in accordance with FIG rules to ensure accurate scoring. Throughout the appeal process, Jordan has been subject to consistent, utterly baseless and extremely hurtful attacks on social media. No athlete should be subject to such treatment. We condemn the attacks and those who engage, support or instigate them. We commend Jordan for conducting herself with integrity both on and off the competition floor, and we continue to stand by and support her.”
