The 2024 Olympics may be over, but their spirit certainly lives on — thanks to Flavor Flav.
After learning of the controversy surrounding the women’s gymnastics floor final, the rapper made sure that Team USA’s Jordan Chiles didn’t go home empty-handed.
Chiles, 23, was stripped this week of the third-place bronze medal she won in the women’s floor exercise final on Aug. 5 following a controversial decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
To help cushion the blow, the 65-year-old creator of the hit song “Fight the Power” wanted to gift athletes a special piece of jewellery they could take home as a memento of this year’s Olympics.
“Hey yooooo @ChilesJordan,” he said. Written on Sunday X“I can make you a bronze watch necklace… that nobody else has!!! Just contact me… I know!!!”
Just one day later, the rapper made good on his promise.
“America will fight the powers that be, in the meantime, I will always be a man of my word @ChilesJordan,” he wrote. Follow-up Post.
The medal-sized jewel watch, which can also be worn as a necklace, is studded with diamonds.
“Looks like Flavor Flav has a watchmaker on standby,” one fan wrote, before the rapper revealed that the piece was made by Keliz of the Rock n’ Stones, who is known for his flashy watches.
The pleasant surprise came just days after controversy erupted following the women’s gymnastics floor final.
Romania’s Ana Barbos was initially expected to win the bronze medal, but the U.S. team filed a review, which was granted, at which point a stunning photo was taken of Chiles on the podium with teammate Simone Biles, as they both bowed to Brazilian gold medalist Rebecca Andrade.
But six days later, the Court of Arbitration for Sport concluded that the U.S. team’s appeal had been filed after the one-minute deadline, effectively invalidating it.
At that point, Barbos and teammate Maneka Voinea were tied with 13.700 points, which allowed Barbos to move up one spot and take the bronze medal, while Chiles dropped to fifth place with 13.666 points.
Barbos later expressed his feelings about the situation.
“Sabrina, Jordan, my heart is with you,” the 18-year-old Barbos wrote on her Instagram Story, referring to compatriot Maneka Boynaire, who came in fourth.
“I know exactly how you feel because I went through the same thing, but I know you will come back stronger. I truly hope that at the next Olympics, all three of us will stand on the same podium. This is my real dream!”
Barbos also tagged Simone Biles in the post.
Barbos also harshly criticised Olympic officials for overturning the decision of the third-placed athlete.
“This situation would not have happened if those in charge had respected the rules,” Barbos wrote. “We athletes are not to be blamed and the hatred directed towards us is painful. I wanted the Paris 2024 Olympics to end in the spirit of Olympism, a true global value.”
Now the U.S. team is appealing that decision, arguing they have video evidence that they requested an investigation within 47 seconds of the referee’s decision.
They plan to continue the appeal process, including taking the case to the Swiss Federal Court.
Meanwhile, Flavor Flav was one of the main promotional men for Team USA during the 2024 Olympics.
The rapper has repeatedly voiced his support for female athletes, previously teaming up with Serena Williams’ husband and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian to donate more than $7,000 to track and field athlete Veronica Fraley, who was struggling to pay her rent.
