Team USA has appealed the Jordan Chiles' Gymnastics Bronze”>Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after the ruling to strip Jordan Chiles of her bronze medal on the floor apparatus. However, their appeal has been dismissed by CAS, citing their inability to overturn the judgment due to existing policies.
Chiles lost her medal on August 11 when CAS determined that coach Cecile Landi’s investigation, which impacted Chiles’ final score, was submitted too late for review. Consequently, Romanian gymnast Ana Barbosu was awarded the bronze medal by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
In an effort to contest CAS’s decision and have Chiles’ medal reinstated, Team USA lodged an appeal. Unfortunately, the court maintained that they were bound by their initial ruling and could not reverse it based on current policies.
Members of Team USA expressed disappointment at having their appeal rejected. Spokesperson Lisa Borders stated, “We appreciate the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s ruling even if we are disappointed by it. We believe Jordan Chiles deserved gold and performed exceptionally well.”
USA Gymnastics CEO Li Li Leung acknowledged the limitations in reconsidering specific judgments. She said, “While we are disappointed with the outcome, we understand that these procedures ensure fairness and uphold the integrity of our sport.”
The gymnastics community has responded differently to CAS’s decision. Some argue that regulations should be more flexible to account for unforeseen circumstances such as a late investigation submission. Gymnastics instructor Sarah Thompson commented, “It is unfortunate to see such a talented gymnast lose her medal due to a technicality. The regulations should allow some flexibility when it comes to late entries that may impact final scores.”
On the other hand, proponents of CAS’s decision assert that maintaining a level playing field among all competitors relies heavily on adhering strictly to regulations. Coach John Wallace explained, ”While it is devastating for Jordan Chiles personally, following rules ensures justice within our sport. Allowing late inquiries can introduce potential bias and favoritism.”
Despite this setback in her career journey with Team USA grappling with this decision from CAS., Jordan Chiles remains resilient and focused on her future in gymnastics. She expressed gratitude for all support received and stated confidently,”I am proud of my performance regardless of the outcome.” This experience will only strengthen my resolve as I strive towards achieving my goals in upcoming years.”
