USA Gymnastics has shown its support for gymnast Jordan Chiles in her battle to reclaim the bronze medal from the women’s floor final at the Paris Olympic Games. The organization filed an appeal with the Swiss Federal Tribunal, arguing that new evidence could alter the outcome of the case. Chiles, for her part, has also filed an additional appeal, insisting that she was not given a fair chance to defend her performance.
The conflict escalated when Chiles, who was initially included on the podium alongside Rebeca Andrade and Simone Biles, was stripped of her medal following a score review. Her coach had filed an inquiry regarding the score, but it was considered late by just four seconds, leading the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to annul her initial score.
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New evidence, including audio and video recordings from the Netflix documentary series “Simone Biles: Rising,” has emerged to support the claim that coach Cecile Landi made the inquiry within the allowed time. The recordings show Landi making two verbal requests within the one-minute window. Despite the initial reconsideration of Chiles’ score, this decision was reversed after a challenge by the Romanian team, resulting in the medal being reassigned to Ana Barbosu.
It has also been revealed that the president of the CAS has had financial ties with the Romanian government, raising concerns about a potential conflict of interest in the decision. Chiles’ lawyers argue that this and other irregularities in the process are sufficient grounds to reopen the case, insisting that the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee had time to prepare their response but was not given the opportunity to do so properly.
With the recent submission to the Swiss Federal Supreme Court, Chiles’ legal team seeks to have the evidence reconsidered, which they claim was previously overlooked. USA Gymnastics has also filed a similar brief, arguing that the footage shows Chiles’ score review request was made on time. Both parties hope the court will recognize the need for fair and accurate treatment in this matter, ensuring that Chiles receives the recognition she deserves for her performance at the Olympic Games.
