It’s been an awful time for Team USA gymnast Jordan Chiles, and she’s now spoken out after the news she would be stripped of her Olympic medal.
After a technicality took away her first individual Olympic medal, Chiles was left heartbroken and being comforted by pal and colleague Simone Biles.
It was after the women’s floor final in gymnastics that Chiles placed fifth after scores were given.
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However, after a difficulty score inquiry by coach Cecile Landi, her score was amended and she finished third, just behind Team USA’s Biles in second.
After Brazilian gymnast Rebeca Andrade took the gold medal, and one of the most iconic photos at the Olympics was taken, something was about to go awry.
Chiles’ bronze medal was her first individual medal at the games, after having won gold in the women’s all-around final with Biles, Sunisa Lee, Jade Carey and Hezly Rivera.
Jordan Chiles was stripped of her medal. (jordanchiles/Instagram)
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The 23-year-old also won silver in the team all-around event at the Tokyo Olympics.
She was probably on cloud nine until the Court Arbitration for Sport reported that the inquiry from Team USA was submitted beyond the one-minute deadline.
It was decided by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) that the final floor results at the Olympics would be amended due to this, as the review was put in just four seconds after the deadline.
This meant that Romania’s Ana Barbosu’s bronze medal was reinstated, and Chiles was knocked back down to fifth, and stripped of her only individual Olympic medal.
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Simone Biles went on to support her friend in an Instagram post.
She wrote: “Sending you so much love Jordan, keep your chin up Olympic champ! We love you!”
Chiles, meanwhile, posted a string of broken heart emojis on her Instagram Story and wrote: “I am taking this time to remove myself from social media for my mental health thank you.”
This is because she has been receiving awful messages and comments from people online and it’s all gone too far.
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Now, she’s taking a break. (jordanchiles/Instagram)
In a joint statement posted to X, USA Gymnastics and the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee said: “We are devastated by the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling regarding women’s floor exercise.
“The inquiry into the Difficulty Value of Jordan Chiles’ floor exercise routine was filed in good faith and, we believed, in accordance with FIG rules to ensure accurate scoring.
“Throughout the appeal process, Jordan has been subject to consistent, utterly baseless and extremely hurtful attacks on social media.
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“No athlete should be subject to such treatment. We condemn the attacks and those who engage, support or instigate them.
“We commend Jordan for conducting herself with integrity both on and off the competition floor, and we continue to stand by and support her.”
Featured Image Credit: Naomi Baker/Getty Images
Topics: Simone Biles, Olympics, Social Media, Sport, News
