'SO MUCH LOVE'
Simone Biles sends heartfelt ‘keep your chin up’ message to Team USA gymnastics teammate stripped of medal
Devastated Team USA star has announced she is taking time off social media
SIMONE Biles has offered her support to gymnastics teammate Jordan Chiles, who has been stripped of her Olympic bronze medal.
Team USA star Chiles initially finished fifth in the women's floor final at the Paris Olympics.
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But she was then bumped up to bronze after United States coach Cecile Landi successfully argued that her score had been under-marked.
But now the Court of Arbitration for Sport has concluded that the review was submitted four seconds beyond the one-minute deadline.
Now the International Olympic Committee has told Chiles that she must return her bronze medal, with Romanian Ana Barbosu being given the podium place.
It is an agonizing situation for Chiles, who has received some comfort from Biles.
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“Sending you so much love Jordan,” Biles posted on her Instagram Stories, adding a heart emoji.
“Keep your chin up Olympic champ! We love you!”
The matter appears far from over, however.
“Following the CAS decision with regard to the Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Floor Exercise Final and the amendment of the ranking by the International Gymnastics Federation, the IOC will reallocate the bronze medal to Ana Bărbosu (Romania),” the IOC said in a statement.
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“We are in touch with the NOC of Romania to discuss the reallocation ceremony and with USOPC regarding the return of the bronze medal.”
The US Olympic & Paralympic Committee is now planning yet another appeal.
Olympic gymnast left in tears after having medal ripped away as Team USA snatch bronze in last-gasp challenge
“We firmly believe that Jordan rightfully earned the bronze medal, and there were critical errors in both the initial scoring by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) and the subsequent CAS appeal process that need to be addressed,” it said in a statement.
“Given these circumstances, we are committed to pursuing an appeal to help Jordan Chiles receive the recognition she deserves.
“We remain dedicated to supporting her as an Olympic champion and will continue to work diligently to resolve this matter swiftly and fairly.”
Chiles has already left France for the United States.
And it is unclear how she will return the medal.
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“We are devastated by the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling regarding women’s floor exercise,” USA Gymnastics said in a statement.
“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.”
Chiles will leave the Paris Olympics with at least one gold medal.
She helped Team USA secure first place in the women’s team all-around event.
Chiles, who is returning to UCLA after the Olympics, is clearly devastated by the turn of events.
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She posted four broken-heart emoji on her Instagram on Saturday,
“I am taking the time and removing myself from social media for my mental health thank you,” she wrote.
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