USA Gymnastics recently announced that the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has upheld its decision to revoke Jordan Chiles’ bronze medal in the floor exercise at the Paris Olympics, despite the submission of new evidence by USA Gymnastics.
In a statement released on social media, USA Gymnastics stated that CAS rules do not allow for a review of an arbitral award even when new and conclusive evidence is presented. This decision came after an on-floor appeal by Chiles’ coach, Cecile Landi, was deemed to have exceeded the 1-minute time limit for scoring inquiries by four seconds.
Despite USA Gymnastics disputing the timing and submitting video evidence showing that the appeal was made within the deadline, CAS ruled in favor of voiding the appeal and stripping Chiles of her bronze medal. In response, USA Gymnastics expressed deep disappointment and pledged to explore all possible avenues for appeal, including taking the case to the Swiss Federal Tribunal.
How did Jordan Chiles initially win the bronze medal?
Chiles qualified third in the women’s floor exercise and competed last in the final. After finishing her routine and receiving a score that initially placed her in fifth, her coach successfully appealed to have an element restored to her routine. This appeal led to an increase in Chiles’ score, earning her the bronze medal in the event.
The Romanian Gymnastics Federation later appealed the decision to CAS, citing a violation of International Gymnastics Federation guidelines regarding the timing of appeals. Despite the controversy surrounding the appeal, CAS ultimately ruled in favor of voiding the appeal and reverting Chiles’ score back to its original value.
It’s a disappointing outcome for Jordan Chiles and USA Gymnastics, but the pursuit of justice and fair competition continues as they explore further avenues for appeal. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
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