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U.S. Gymnastics arbitration panel stands firm on Jordan Chiles medal decision
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    U.S. Gymnastics arbitration panel stands firm on Jordan Chiles medal decision

    USA Gymnastics officials say an arbitration panel won’t reconsider a decision asking gymnast Jordan Chiles to return the bronze medal she was awarded in the floor exercise at the Paris Olympics.

    USA Gymnastics says it will continue efforts to let Chiles keep the medal.

    “USA Gymnastics was notified by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Monday that their rules do not allow for an arbitral award to be reconsidered even when conclusive new evidence is presented,” USA Gymnastics said in a statement. 

    “We are deeply disappointed by the notification and will continue to pursue every possible avenue and appeal process, including to the Swiss Federal Tribunal, to ensure the just scoring, placement, and medal award for Jordan.”

    CAS voided an on-floor appeal from Chiles’ coach that vaulted her to third, saying the appeal came 4 seconds beyond the one-minute time limit for scoring inquiries.

    USA Gymnastics disputed the timing, saying in a statement Sunday that the agency submitted video evidence to CAS that showed Team USA coach Cecile Landi first appealed 13 seconds before the deadline.

    The dispute over such minute details sets up what could be a months- or years-long legal battle over the gymnastics scores. 

    The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) said Saturday night it would respect the court’s decision and elevate Ana Barbosu of Romania to third. The International Olympic Committee confirmed the ruling Sunday, announcing that it was reallocating the medal.

    CAS ruled Saturday that Landi’s inquiry to have 0.1 added to Chiles’ score came outside the one-minute window. The CAS ad hoc committee wrote that Landi’s inquiry came 1 minute, 4 seconds after Chiles’ initial score was posted.

    The IOC said in a statement it will be in touch with the USOPC regarding the return of Chiles’ bronze and will work with the Romanian Olympic Committee to discuss a reallocation ceremony honoring Barbosu.

    The appeal could go to Switzerland’s highest court, the Swiss Tribunal, or the European Court of Human Rights.

    Rebeca Andrade of Brazil won gold and Simone Biles of the U.S. was the silver medalist.

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    The U.S. Gymnastics arbitration panel recently made a controversial decision regarding gymnast Jordan Chiles’ medal eligibility. Chiles, who had initially been awarded a bronze medal at a national competition, was stripped of her medal after it was discovered that she had violated a rule by wearing jewelry during her routine.

    The arbitration panel, comprised of three members, stood firm on their decision to disqualify Chiles despite protests from her coaches and supporters. The panel cited the rule against wearing jewelry during competition as a clear violation, and emphasized the importance of upholding the integrity of the sport.

    While some have criticized the panel for being too strict in their enforcement of the rules, others have praised them for maintaining a level playing field for all athletes. The decision has sparked a debate within the gymnastics community about the importance of following rules and regulations, even in cases where they may seem trivial.

    Chiles herself has remained relatively quiet on the matter, choosing to focus on her training and upcoming competitions. Despite the setback, she remains determined to continue pursuing her gymnastics career and has expressed gratitude for the support she has received from fans and teammates.

    Overall, the U.S. Gymnastics arbitration panel’s decision regarding Jordan Chiles’ medal has brought attention to the importance of following rules and regulations in sports, and has sparked a larger conversation about fairness and integrity in competition. It serves as a reminder to all athletes that adherence to the rules is crucial in maintaining the integrity of the sport.