U.S. team gymnastics star Jordan Chiles has broken her silence after learning she may have to give up the bronze medal she won after placing third on the floor exercise at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
There has been huge debate over whether Childs’ score of 13.766 should stand, and the 23-year-old has now spoken out about it.
Childs posted a lengthy statement on social media, first thanking everyone who had supported her since the end of the Olympics, especially with her bronze medal hopes hanging in the balance.
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Jordan Chiles of the United States competes in the floor exercise during the third day of the artistic gymnastics finals at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris on August 4, 2024. (Jack Gruber/USA Today Sports)
Childs then spoke about what everyone has been talking about since news broke that the International Olympic Committee had asked Childs to return her bronze medal after an arbitration tribunal ruled that it was too late for her coach to change her score.
“In the midst of celebrating my Olympic achievement, I received the devastating news that my bronze medal had been stripped,” Chiles wrote. “I was confident in the appeal filed by (USA Gymnastics) which presented conclusive evidence that my scores were in accordance with all rules. This appeal was unsuccessful.”
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled that Childs’ coach was four seconds late in requesting a review of her floor exercise score in the final, but the investigation was accepted and further review found that Childs’ score had been underestimated, and she was awarded the bronze medal.
Jordan Chiles’ Paris Olympic bronze medal controversy is ‘completely devastating,’ says US gymnastics great
But the CAS ruled that Chile’s original scores stood and the IOC asked it to give the medal back to Romanian gymnast Ana Barbos so she could take third place – a decision that USA Gymnastics is challenging.
“I am at a loss for words,” Chiles said. “This decision is unjust and a huge blow not only to me but to everyone who has supported me along my journey. What’s even more heartbreaking is the unprovoked racist attacks on social media that are wrong and extremely hurtful. I have given my life to this sport and am proud to represent my culture and country.”
Jordan Chiles of the United States celebrates after winning the bronze medal in the floor exercise during the third day of the artistic gymnastics finals at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games on August 5, 2024 in Paris. (Jack Gruber/USA Today Sports)
USA Gymnastics said it continues to try to fight for Chilis and noted it has video evidence showing Chilis’ coach submitted the investigation within the 47-second time limit. But the court noted in a statement that its rules do not allow for a review of the decision even in the presence of new evidence.
There was also talk that US officials received delayed notice of the arbitration proceedings because the CAS notified the wrong person by email. The US Olympic Committee claims that the email error left it with less than 24 hours to prepare for the CAS hearing.
Chiles said he hopes the case will end with him keeping his bronze medal and will do everything in his power to “see that justice is served.”
“I will never waver from my values of competing with integrity, striving for excellence, and following the rules that dictate the values of sportsmanship and fairness,” she explained. “I pride myself on cheering for everyone, regardless of team or country. Finding joy again is a culture change and it’s gratifying to see others embrace it. I feel like I’ve given everyone permission to be their true self.”
Jordan Chiles of the United States during a gymnastics training session at the Bercy Arena ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games on July 25, 2024 in Paris. (Elsa/Getty Images)
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“I am currently facing the most challenging moment of my career to date. It is no exaggeration to say that I have faced challenges many times before. I will face this challenge like any other and will do everything in my power to ensure that justice is served. I have confidence that at the end of this journey, those in power will do the right thing.”
Fox News’ Ryan Gaydas contributed to this report.
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