US gymnast Jordan Childs says she is overwhelmed by the “love” and support she has received following the controversial furore over the bronze medal she won at the Paris Olympics earlier this month.
The 23-year-old gymnast said she will “do everything in our power to ensure that justice is done” in a statement shared on social media Thursday amid a bitter dispute between USA Gymnastics and the Court of Arbitration for Sport over the bronze medal won by Chile in the women’s floor exercise final, after the Court ruled that the bronze medal belonged to Romania’s Ana Barbos.
“In the midst of celebrating my Olympic achievement, I received the devastating news that my bronze medal had been stripped. I relied on the appeal filed by USAG, who presented conclusive evidence that my scoring followed all rules, but this appeal was unsuccessful,” she wrote.
“I am at a loss for words. This decision is unfair and a huge blow not only to me but to everyone who has supported me along my journey. What hurts even more is the unprovoked racist attacks on social media which are wrong and extremely hurtful. I have given my life to this sport and am incredibly proud to be representing my country.”
“I will never waver from my values: competing with integrity, striving for excellence and abiding by the rules that dictate the values of sportsmanship and fairness,” Chiles concluded.
“I am currently facing the most challenging moment of my career thus far,” she posted. “Believe me when I say I have faced many challenges before. I will face this challenge like any other and do everything in my power to ensure justice is served. I have faith that at the end of this journey, those in power will do the right thing.”
