By: Leaya Chen
“The Paris Olympics ended Sunday (August 11), but controversy and complexity regarding who should receive one bronze medal continues,” The New York Times states. American gymnast Jordan Chiles stepped onto the podium in Paris’ Bercy Arena with the bronze in the women’s gymnastics floor on August 5. Still, one week later, the International Olympic Committee said it would give the medal to Romania’s Ana Bărbosu.
In the competition, Bărbosu received a 13.700 out of 20, making her third. Chiles received 13.666, placing her fifth.
However, Chiles’ coach, Cecile Landi, thought the judges hadn’t made Chiles’ score high enough and filed an inquiry to the judges. The judges agreed that Chiles deserved 13.766, which pushed her into third over Bărbosu.
The medal ceremony proceeded with Chiles, silver medalist Simone Biles, and Olympic champion Rebeca Andrade stepping onto the podium.
The Romanian Gymnastics Federation filed an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport since Landi’s inquiry was submitted four seconds late after the one-minute deadline. Romania requested two bronze medals be awarded to Chiles and Bărbosu.
CAS dismissed giving three gold medals but agreed to restore Chiles’ 13.666 score.
The International Gymnastics Federation placed Bărbosu in third but decided who got the bronze medal to the International Olympic Committee, who said it would give it to Bărbosu on Friday.
USA plans to file an appeal for Chiles to retain the bronze.
Chiles posted an Instagram post on August 10 that read, “I am taking this time and removing myself from social media for my mental health thank you.”
Bărbosu told Chiles after the CAS’s decision was posted online, “I know very well that it hurts, because I have been through the same states. But I know you and I’m sure you’ll have the strength to come back even stronger. I sincerely hope that at the next Olympic Games we will be on the same podium.”
As the debate over the bronze medal continues, the gymnastics community stands separated, but Chiles and Bărbosu’s respect for each other underscores the spirit of sportsmanship in gymnastics.