Jordan Chiles, the 23-year-old gymnast who represented Team USA at the Paris Olympics, has spoken out for the first time since the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) delivered the shocking verdict that she must relinquish her Olympic bronze medal. Chiles took to Instagram on Monday to share her thoughts, expressing deep gratitude for the overwhelming support she has received during this difficult time, even as she grapples with the distressing news and the racial attacks that have followed.
“While I was still celebrating my Olympic achievements, I received the heartbreaking news that my bronze medal was being taken away,” Chiles wrote in her emotional statement.
“I had faith in the appeal filed by USA Gymnastics (USAG), who presented conclusive evidence that my score was correctly calculated according to the rules. Unfortunately, that appeal was not successful.”
Chiles’ words revealed the depth of her disappointment, as she continued, “I’m at a loss for words. This decision feels deeply unfair and is a heavy blow not just to me, but to everyone who has supported me on this journey. Adding insult to injury, the unprovoked racially motivated attacks I’ve received on social media are incredibly painful. I’ve dedicated my life to this sport, pouring my heart and soul into it, and I am immensely proud to represent both my culture and my country.”
The controversy surrounding Chiles’ score stems from the women’s floor exercise final at the Paris Olympics on August 5. During the competition, Chiles initially placed fifth with a score of 13.666, narrowly behind Romania’s Ana Maria Bărbosu, who scored 13.700. However, Team USA’s gymnastics coach, Cecile Canqueteau-Landi, quickly appealed the score, arguing that the judges had made a critical error in calculating the difficulty of Chiles’ routine. After a review, the panel adjusted her score to 13.766, which elevated her to third place, securing the bronze medal ahead of Bărbosu.
The situation took a dramatic turn when Romanian Olympic officials filed a challenge against the revised score, seeking to restore Bărbosu’s original standing. The higher court, based in Switzerland, ultimately ruled that Team USA’s appeal had been submitted after the one-minute time limit allowed for contesting judges’ scores. Despite multiple appeals and additional video evidence submitted by Team USA, the CAS issued a final ruling on Monday, ordering that Chiles be stripped of her medal.
In her statement, Chiles reaffirmed her commitment to the principles of fairness and sportsmanship that have guided her career. “I will never stray from my core values of competing with integrity, striving for excellence, and upholding the rules that ensure fairness,” Chiles wrote. “I’ve always taken pride in cheering for everyone, regardless of their team or country. Rediscovering joy in this sport has been transformative, and I’m thrilled to see others embracing their authentic selves as well. I feel like I’ve given people permission to be true to who they are.”
Facing what she described as “one of the most challenging moments” of her career, Chiles remained resolute. “Believe me when I say that I’ve faced many challenges in my life. I will approach this one as I have all the others—with determination and a commitment to justice. I truly believe that at the end of this journey, the right thing will be done.”
The controversy didn’t end with Chiles’ statement. On Wednesday, the CAS issued a stern response to U.S. media outlets that had criticized the court’s handling of the case. The CAS statement defended the integrity of the panel, stating, “The CAS condemns the outrageous statements made by certain U.S. media, which, without knowledge of the full context and before reviewing the reasoned award, accused the Panel, particularly its chairman, of bias due to other professional engagements or nationality. As no party involved in this case challenged any Panel member during the procedure, it can be reasonably assumed that all parties were satisfied with the Panel’s impartiality. Any subsequent criticism is baseless and without merit.”
Chiles’ journey continues, marked by both the highs of her athletic achievements and the lows of this ongoing legal battle. As she moves forward, she carries the hopes and support of her fans, who stand by her in this time of adversity.
