Medal Stripped From American Olympian, US Appeals
The controversy continues at the Paris Olympic Games following the reallocation of the bronze medal in the Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Floor Exercise. On Sunday, Romanian gymnast Ana Bărbosu was awarded the bronze medal after a ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). This means American gymnast Jordan Chiles, who initially received the bronze was stripped of her medal. But why?
Why did Jordan Chiles Get Stripped Of Her Bronze Medal?
The drama began Monday when Chiles’ when Chiles scored 13.666, placing her in fourth. However, after her coach Cecile Landi submitted a challenge, Chiles’ score was increased by 0.1, moving her into third place and pushing Bărbosu, who had scored 13.700, down to fourth. This created a moment of triumph for Chiles, who joined fellow American Simone Biles and Brazilian gold medalist Rebeca Andrade on what became the first all-Black podium in Olympic gymnastics history. However, the celebration was short-lived.
The CAS later ruled that the inquiry on behalf of Chiles had been filed after the one-minute deadline stipulated by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) regulations. As a result, Chiles’ revised score was invalidated, and her original score of 13.666 was reinstated. This decision restored Bărbosu to the bronze medal position.
USA Gymnastics and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) swiftly responded, filing an appeal against the CAS ruling. They argued that newly discovered video evidence conclusively showed that the inquiry was submitted within the one-minute deadline. This evidence, they claim, was not available at the time of the original CAS decision, and they are now seeking to have Chiles’ medal reinstated.
If I could bet, I’m willing to put money down this situation is far from over. My money will also be on Chiles to get the bronze medal back too. Either way, we can still celebrate the US for having 40 gold medals and the most medals of any other country!
Source: CNN
