Jordan Chiles Speaks Out On Olympic Bronze Controversy: ‘I Have No Words’

Source: Tim Clayton – Corbis / Getty

Gymnast Jordan Chiles has broken her silence on the controversy surrounding her bronze medal and performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

As previously reported, on Saturday, Aug. 10, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) announced that they were reversing the inquiry that led to Chiles earning the bronze medal in her floor routine during the Olympic Games.  According to the Court, Chiles’ coach Cecile Landi inquired into Jordan’s scores after her routine, which led to her earning the bronze medal, but, according to NPR. the inquiry was filed too late.

The rules of the sport require inquiries to be filed within one minute, but Landi’s inquiry was reportedly filed after one minute and four seconds, causing the Romanian Olympic Committee to protest the revised scores in the days following the competition. The protest eventually led the CAS to rule in favor of the two Romanian gymnasts and overturn the original decision, thus returning Jordan’s original scores, placing her back in fifth place, and revoking her medal.

While USA Gymnastics continues to fight for Chiles’ medal and Olympic standing, the athlete has remained fairly silent about the matter until recently when she released a statement calling the controversy “unjust” and a “significant blow” in a message posted on social media last week.

“I have no words,” she wrote on Instagram. “This decision feels unjust and comes as a significant blow, not just to me, but to everyone who has championed my journey. To add to the heartbreak, the unprompted racially driven attacks on social media are wrong and extremely hurtful. I’ve poured my heart and soul into this sport and I am so proud to represent my culture and my country.”

The 23 year old UCLA student also touched on the racist social media attacks she’s received since the news broke, calling this moment “the one of the most challenging moments of my career.” She continued, “Believe me when I say I have had many. I will approach the challenge as I have others — and will make every effort to ensure that justice is done. I believe that at the end of this journey, the people in control will do the right thing.”

Check out Jordan’s post below.

After the post went live, fans and supporters flooded the comments with their support and well wishes, with one fan writing, “You’re an icon and you’re a Golden Girl to us before anything else. We see you, we love you and what you’ve done for the sport of gymnastics and we will continue to cheer you on and on and on ”

We’re always in your corner, Jordan!

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