Jordan Chiles shares glimpses from first practice session since being stripped of bronze medal at Paris Olympics 2024
Jordan Chiles posted glimpses from her first gymnastics practice session on Wednesday, September 4. The gymnast returned to practice three weeks after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) stripped her of the bronze medal from the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The International Olympic Committee recently instructed the 23-year-old to return her bronze medal earned in the floor exercise event at the Olympics. Chiles placed third in the competition after an appeal by her coaches to reconsider the grading of her performance.
The appeal was successful and Chiles’ score increased by 0.1 points. She was the final athlete to compete in the event and that adjustment moved her into the bronze medal position ahead of Ana Barbosa who had been placed third on the scoreboard before the appeal. However, her appeal came 4 seconds beyond the 1-minute time limit for scoring inquiries.
The Romanian Gymnastics Federation then filed an appeal about the result with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), and the CAS decided that the inquiry that benefited Chiles was filed after the one-minute deadline, rendering the deciding inquiry unlawful. The court concluded that Chiles' original score should be reinstated. The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) then altered the competition results, moving Chiles to fifth place and Barbosu to third, and the IOC confirmed that the medals would be redistributed to reflect that change.
On Wednesday, September 4, Chiles posted an Instagram story of the gymnastics practice with the caption:
"Just a little fun in the gym"
Jordan Chiles will compete in the Gold Over America Tour that will kick off on September 17 at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside. Simone Biles, Jade Carey, and nine other gymnasts will also feature in the event.
Jordan Chiles talked about losing the bronze medal in the Paris Olympics
Jordan Chiles discussed losing her bronze medal to Romanian gymnast Ana Barbosu a few days after the Paris Olympics ended. The American gymnast posted a message on social media, expressing her disappointment at the outcome.
Describing the news as "devastating," Chiles also spoke about receiving "racially motivated" vitriol on social media.
"While celebrating my Olympic accomplishments, I heard the devastating news that my bronze medal had been stripped away. I had confidence in the appeal brought by USAG, who gave conclusive evidence that my score followed all the rules. This appeal was unsuccessful. 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 wrote.
"To add to the heartbreak, the unprompted racially driven attacks on social media are 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 added.
The gymnast also described this moment as challenging:
"I am now confronted with one of the most challenging moments of my career. Believe me when I say I have had many."