"This statement is a tragedy"- Jordan Chiles' mother slams FIG President Morinari Watanabe for his take on the bronze medal debacle at Paris Olympics

By Janhavi Shinde

Modified Aug 25, 2024 06:59 GMT

Jordan Chiles' mother Gina Chiles recently took a jab at the FIG President Morinari Watanabe for his statement on the bronze medal controversy at the Paris Olympics 2024. Chiles was stripped of her floor exercise bronze medal in Paris after a dramatic occurrence.

A few days after the bronze-medal foul-up, FIG (International Gymnastics Federation) President Watanabe issued a statement, addressing the incident and referred to it as a "tragedy." He also highlighted the significance of technology in sports judging.

"The use of technology in sport is now taken for granted and the FIG used to be at the forefront of introducing federations," he said in the statement. "But now we are no longer a pioneer. This is because we are not able to break our own prejudices because of our traditions."

Watanabe added:

"What can we do to prevent the same tragedy from happening again? It is up to us to have the courage to change."

However, the president's statement did not sit well with Chiles' mother, who panned him for turning the crisis into an opportunity to promote new technology.

"This statement is a tragedy," she wrote. "ChatGPT would have done you wonders here. Way to use the devastation this caused as a pitch for new tech. Respectfully READ THE ROOM sir."

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Jordan Chiles' bronze medal was stripped off after Romania issued an inquiry

Jordan Chiles performs during the Women's Floor Exercise Final at the Olympic Games 2024 at Bercy Arena in Paris, France. (Photo via Getty Images)

Jordan Chiles was stripped of her floor exercise bronze medal after Romania issued an inquiry during the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Chiles was placed in fifth place behind Rebeca Andrade, Simone Biles, Ana Barbosu, and Sabrina Maneca-Voinea after scoring 13.666 points, including 5.800 for difficulty and 7.866 points for execution.

After an inquiry for a low difficulty score from the American's coach Cecile Landi, Chiles was awarded 13.766 points to settle in third place and bagged a bronze medal.

However, after Romania's appeal to CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sports), she was dethroned from her third position, which was subsequently handed over to Romanian gymnast Ana Barbosu, registering 13.700 points.

The American gymnast was deprived of her bronze medal stating the coach submitted the inquiry in 64 seconds, four seconds later than the permitted time.

The USA Gymnastics provided a video showing Landi submitting the inquiry in 47 seconds, but it was denied. If the medal had not been stripped from Jordan Chiles, it would have been her first Olympic individual victory.