The Olympic Games-Paris 2024 - Source: Getty — Jordan Chiles at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 | Getty

How did Jordan Chiles win the bronze after placing fifth initially? Explaining the gymnastics rule behind dramatic final at Paris Olympics

Modified Aug 05, 2024 14:27 GMT

Jordan Chiles won her first individual medal at the Paris Olympics 2024, and it came in dramatic circumstances. After initially earning a score of 13.666 for her floor exercise routine, Chiles wasn't placed in the top three, but she made an inquiry following which her fortunes changed altogether.

Chiles was at first awarded a score of 13.666—5.800 for difficulty and 7.866 for execution. However, she made an inquiry, which meant reviewing the score awarded by judges, for the difficulty of her routine. Her score on the execution was raised by 0.100, taking her overall score to 13.766.

A gymnast can make an inquiry about their score only after the final score is posted. The inquiry is done first verbally before submitting a written inquiry later. Coaches Cecile Landi and Laurent Landi reportedly found an error in the score, which led to Chiles inquiring.

Only Rebecca Andrade with 14.166 and Simone Biles with 14.133 had scored more than Chiles’ 13.766. The 23-year-old burst into tears of joy after receiving confirmation that she had won her first individual Olympic medal.

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Earlier, the UCLA gymnast was part of the USA's gold-winning team at the Paris Olympics 2024. Chiles played a significant role alongside Biles and Suni Lee in helping the USA win the gold. The 23-year-old previously won the silver medal with Team USA at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Jordan Chiles wasn't sure of leaving UCLA to focus on Paris Olympics

Jordan Chiles at the Paris Olympic Games 2024 [Source: Getty]

After winning a silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Jordan Chiles joined UCLA Gymnastics to start her collegiate career. She went on to win multiple NCAA titles. When it was time to put a pause on her collegiate career and focus on the Paris Olympics, she wasn't sure.

However, when she lost her aunt and grandfather in 2023, something changed for the American gymnast:

“When I came back, after losing my grandpa, I was like, ‘I don’t think my grandpa would want me to quit right now. He would be very disappointed in me if I was just like, you know what, I’m done,'" she told Olypmics.com.

“With having him in my mind, in my heart, and even my aunt, I was like, 'you know what, I’m just going to continue my dream and continue to push as hard as I can,'" Chiles added.

Chiles eventually put her UCLA career on hold and has now won two medals at the Paris Olympics 2024.