2024 MTV Video Music Awards - Show - Source: Getty — Flavor Flav honoring Jordan Chiles with the promised 'bronze clock' [Image for Representational Purposes] [Image Source: Getty]

Jordan Chiles submits an appeal to the Swiss Federal Supreme Court for the CAS decision that stripped her of her Paris Olympics bronze medal

Modified Sep 17, 2024 03:16 GMT

Jordan Chiles has submitted an appeal in the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland against the decision made by the Court of Arbitration of Sport, which denied her an Olympic bronze medal in the floor exercise event. The 23-year-old gymnast, who had won an Olympic gold medal in the team all-around event, had also won a bronze medal in the floor exercise event after her scores were upgraded.

However, after Romanian authorities lodged an official protest against the same, the CAS had to intervene, and they not only reinstated the original scores but also stripped Jordan Chiles of her bronze medal.

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USA Gymnastics supported this move and recently stated in their press brief that they were in constant touch with Chiles and her team in this regard. They also said,

"USAG is closely coordinating with Jordan and her legal team and will make supportive filings with the court in the continued pursuit of justice for Jordan."

According to the appeal filed, Jordan Chiles appealed against the decision imposed by CAS for two specific reasons. One, she was denied her fundamental 'right to be heard' as the CAS refused to consider the video evidence that proved her inquiry was submitted on time. Secondly, Hamid G Gharavi, president of the CAS panel that revoked the bronze medal, had been associated with Romania for a long time, representing them on several occasions, which made it a matter of conflict of interest.

The controversy around Jordan Chiles' bronze medal explained

Jordan Chiles of the USA performing in the floor exercise finals at the Paris Olympics 2024 [Image Source : Getty]

Apart from winning a gold medal in the team all around event, Jordan Chiles had also qualified for the finals of the individual all around event, the vault event, and the floor exercise event at the Paris Olympics. However, she could only participate in the finals of the floor exercise.

The final, held on August 5, 2024, changed it all. Rebeca Andrade of Brazil scored 14.166, maintaining a healthy lead. Simone Biles had almost edged out Rebeca Andrade with a total score of 14.733. However, a penalty of 0.600 meant that her final score was 14.133, which forced the triple Olympic gold medalist to settle for a silver medal.

Ana Barbosu of Romania had won the bronze medal against teammate Sabrina Voinea, despite an identical score of 13.700, courtesy of her better score in the execution stage. Jordan Chiles stood fifth with a score of 13.666. However, when coach Cecile Landi argued that her execution was not judged properly, the jury panel allowed the appeal and upgraded Chiles' score to 13.766, awarding her the bronze medal.

The Romanian authorities were infuriated by this decision and lodged several protests. Following their persistent demands, the CAS had to intervene and reinstate the original scores, thereby denying Jordan Chiles her bronze medal.