American gymnast Jordan Chiles called an arbitration panel’s decision that she must return the bronze medal she won in floor exercise at the Paris Olympics “unfair” and a “heavy blow” in a message posted on social media on Thursday.
In light of the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport, the International Olympic Committee announced that it would re-award the bronze medal to Romanian Ana Barbosu.
Chile was deemed to have won the bronze medal after the judges changed their score following an appeal by Cecile Landi, the coach of the US team. Romania successfully appealed to CAS because Landi’s appeal was not made within a minute of Chile’s score being announced, and the panel ruled on Saturday that the bronze medal should go to Barbosu.
“I am at a loss for words,” Chiles wrote in an Instagram post. “This decision feels unfair and is a huge blow, not only to me but to everyone who has supported my journey. To add to the grief, the unsolicited racially motivated attacks on social media are wrong and extremely hurtful. I have put my heart and soul into this sport and am so proud to represent my culture and my country.”
USA Gymnastics has said it will continue its efforts to give Chile’s medal. The sport’s governing body in the United States disputes Romania’s claim that Landi’s appeal came 4 seconds too late, and said Sunday it had provided video evidence to CAS showing Landi first appealed 13 seconds before the deadline.
“I am now facing one of the most difficult moments of my career,” Chiles wrote. “Believe me, I have had many. I will approach this challenge like others – and do everything I can to ensure justice is done. I believe that at the end of this journey, the people in control will do the right thing.”
Reporting by The Associated Press.
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