The controversy surrounding the bronze medal in the floor exercise final at the Paris Olympics has taken another strange turn.
Sabrina Maneca Voinea and the Romanian Gymnastics Federation have appealed to the Swiss Federal Court against a decision that deducted 0.10 points from Voinea’s score for being out of bounds in the floor exercise final.
They challenged the decision through the Court of Arbitration for Sport, but the CAS dismissed it as a “stadium of play” decision.
Maneka Voinea and the Romanian Gymnastics Federation are now applying to the Swiss Federal Court to have her score adjusted, which would mean she would be awarded the bronze medal.
This is the same bronze medal that was at the center of controversy after American gymnast Jordan Childs was stripped of her bronze medal on the final day of the Summer Olympics after the CAS ruled that Childs’ appeal for a score adjustment during the competition was four seconds too late.
As a result of this decision, Chile’s scores were changed and Romanian gymnast Ana Barbos was awarded the bronze medal with a better score.
But new issues have further muddied an already confusing situation.
Replays showed that Voynea did not cross the line during the move. According to USA TodayWithout the 0.10 point deduction, her score would have been 13.8.
That would put him above Barbos’ and Chiles’ scores both before and after the appeal.
In its ruling issued on August 14, the CAS wrote that overturning the decision would call into question the judges’ judgement.
“The decision on whether a 0.1 point deduction is appropriate is a classic example of a ‘field of play’ decision, which does not permit arbitrators to substitute for the umpire’s opinion,” the CAS wrote in USA Today. “It involves an umpire’s judgement based on their expertise in the ‘field of play,’ thus justifying the CAS’s non-intervention.”
“Whether the judgment is right or wrong cannot be reviewed.”
The situation has generated much anger, with USA Gymnastics and the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee already announcing plans to appeal to the Swiss Federal Court.
The U.S. side plans to appeal the CAS ruling, citing procedural errors and video evidence.
Childs commented on the situation in a lengthy statement posted to her social media accounts earlier this month.
The American thanked those who supported her during the saga, while Chilis lamented how events unfolded.
“I am at a loss for words. This decision is unjust and a huge blow not only to me but to everyone who has supported my journey,” she wrote.
