Jordan Chiles speaks out after ‘unjust’ decision to strip her bronze Olympic medal: ‘I have no words’
Jordan Chiles is speaking out after the International Olympic Committee’s “unjust” decision to strip her of her bronze medal due to a score reversal.
“I am overwhelmed by the love I have received over the past few days. I am also incredibly grateful to my family, teammates, coaches, fans, USAG, and the USOPC for their unwavering support during this difficult time,” the Olympic gymnast, 23, wrote on X Thursday.
Chiles, 23, said she learned her bronze medal — which she earned during the gymnastics floor exercise final on Aug. 5 — was being stripped away while she was celebrating her Paris Olympic wins.
“I have no words. This decision feels unjust and comes as a significant blow, not just to me, but to everyone who has championed my journey,” she added.
The athlete — who is Black and Latina — said she has been the subject of “unprompted racially driven attacks on social media,” which she called “wrong and extremely hurtful.”
“I’ve poured my heart and soul into this sport and I am so proud to represent my culture and my country,” Chiles wrote.
“I will never waver from my values of competing with integrity, striving for excellence, upholding the values of sportsmanship and the rules that dictate fairness.”
Chiles said she has cheered on everyone during the Paris Olympics “regardless of team or country” and she is now “confronted with one of the most challenging moments of my career.”
Chiles concluded her message by saying she would continue to fight to “ensure that justice is done” and she hopes “the people in control will do the right thing.”
During last Monday’s gymnastics floor exercise final, Romanian Ana Bărbosu initially thought she won the bronze medal after posting a score of 13.700.
Though Chiles’ score was originally 13.666, her coaches challenged the difficulty score which added 0.1 to her overall score and moved her up to third place behind gold medalist Rebeca Andrade and silver medalist Simone Biles.
The UCLA student was then awarded the bronze medal and made history alongside Biles, 27, and Andrade, 25, as the first all-Black Olympics gymnastics podium.
However, on Sunday, the International Olympic Committee announced it was reallocating the bronze from Chiles to Bărbosu, 18, after the Romanians won an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), claiming the initial score inquiry was filed after the one-minute deadline.
After the ruling, the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee filed an appeal, submitting video evidence that showed Chiles’ coaches’ challenge came within the 60-second time limit.
Despite the alleged evidence, an international sporting court rejected Team USA’s appeal Monday and Chiles was ordered to hand her bronze medal over to Bărbosu.
Despite the bronze medal drama, Chiles still walked away from the Paris Olympics as a winner, as she and the rest of her gymnastics team won a gold medal for the women’s artistic team all-around.
