Jordan Chiles’ Fight for Bronze Medal Takes New Turn
What if Jordan Chiles, Ana Barbosu, and Sabrina Maneca-Voinea just shared the bronze medal for the floor exercise and put the Paris Olympics drama to rest?
This is what the Romanian Gymnastics Federation (FRG) proposed in a statement on Monday. This comes after USA Gymnastics tried, and failed, to appeal to the Center of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) regarding Chiles’ initial score of 13.666, which dropped her to fifth place in the floor exercise. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has also asked for Chiles to return her medal.
Jordan Chiles, after receiving her bronze medal in the women’s floor exercise at the Paris Olympics on August 5, 2024. (Cao Can/Xinhua via Getty Images)
USA Gymnastics stated that they had new evidence showing their inquiry to change Chiles’ score was made within the 1-minute deadline. Unfortunately, CAS declined to consider this new evidence. USA Gymnastics is committed to pursuing all legal avenues to rectify the situation.
On a similar note, the FRG wanted CAS to adjust Maneca-Voinea’s score to 13.800, believing an undeserved penalty was applied. Additionally, they wished to award all three gymnasts the bronze medal. However, CAS only addressed the issue of Chiles’ score.
On Monday, the FRG reiterated their stance that all three gymnasts should receive a medal.
“The Romanian Gymnastics Federation proposed awarding bronze medals to Jordan Chiles, Ana-Maria Barbosu, and Sabrina Maneca-Voinea, with prior approval from the Federation,” the FRG stated.
Ana Barbosu competing at the Paris Olympics on August 5, 2024. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
The FRG emphasized their efforts to resolve the matter respectably.
“We have taken all necessary steps for all three athletes to receive medals. We complied with requests from the American side, which was appreciated by their representatives,” the FRG added.
They also called for an end to attacks on the gymnasts and Nadia Comăneci, who has supported awarding medals to all three athletes.
Sabrina Maneca-Voinea participating in the beam final at the Paris Olympics on August 5, 2024. (Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
“The FRG never agreed to taking away a medal,” they concluded.
