Jordan Chiles’ Sister Weighs In On Olympic Medal Scandal: ‘Racism Is Real’

Chiles' sister proclaimed that "racism is real" amid the backlash the gymnast has faced in the medal controversy.

Jordan Chiles’ sister, Jazmin, who was ordered to return her Olympic bronze medal, claims racism is at play in the public backlash.

Chiles secured bronze during the gymnastics floor final after submitting an initially successful inquiry that boosted her score. The score increase led to Chiles beating Romanian gymnast Ana Barbosu for the medal.

However, upon the Romanian Olympic and Sports Committee requesting a review and potential appeal of the scoring, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) reversed the decision. As it stands, CAS has asked Chiles to return her bronze medal.

Upon learning the heartbreaking news, Jazmin took to social media on Aug. 10 to defend her younger sibling from the racist backlash.

“Racism is real, it exists, it is alive and well,” she wrote in her Instagram stories, as restated by People. “They have officially, five days later, stripped her of one of her medals. Not because she didn’t win, not because she was drugged, not because she stepped out of bounds, not because she wasn’t good enough.”

Jazmin continued, “But because the judges failed to give her difficulty and forced an inquiry to be made. Her bronze was stripped over 4 seconds of time that would have never needed to happen if the judges did their job.”

Jazmin clarified that the racism she was denouncing stemmed from public comments, not the Olympic committee itself. However, she still noted that Chiles was being subjected to the usual treatment by the committee.

She added, “…In the HISTORY of the Olympics, NO ONE has ever been stripped of their medal for this. Also, there are only TWO ways you can be stripped of a medal. Cheating or Doping. She did neither…Just give the other girls a bronze and leave it at that! Period.”

Chiles, who still won gold in the all-around Gymnastics finals, has remained off social media to protect her mental health amid the controversy. While she has stayed offline, the Olympic & Paralympic Committee has continued its fight on her behalf. However, CAS rejected their appeal of the new ruling.

Despite the outcome, USA Gymnastics declared their ongoing commitment to pursuing justice for Chiles and maintaining her medal.