Jordan Chiles Breaks Silence on “Significant Blow” of Losing Olympic Medal
After gymnast Jordan Chiles was stripped of her Olympic bronze medal—which was given to Romanian gymnast Ana Barbosu—the 23-year-old shared her thoughts on the controversy.
Jordan Chiles is not holding back her disappointment.
After the 23-year-old Olympic gymnast was stripped of her floor routine bronze medal win due to a lesser-known gymnastics rule, she shared her reaction to the controversial decision and subsequent support from fans.
“I am overwhelmed by the love I have received over the past few days,” Jordan started off a lengthy note shared to her social media Aug. 15. “I am also incredibly grateful to my family, teammates, coaches, fans USAG, and the USOPC for their unwavering support during this difficult time.”
Initially, Jordan explained that she chose to maintain faith that the appeals made by the U.S. to the Court of Arbitration for Sport—which reversed the initial inquiry submitted by her coach Cecile Landi due to it being four seconds past the deadline—would be successful. However, they were not.
“I have no words,” Jordan continued. “This decision feels unjust and comes as a significant blow, not just to me, but to everyone who has championed my journey.”
She also shared a note to her detractors.
“To add to the heartbreak, the unprompted racially driven attacks on social media are wrong and extremely hurtful,” she penned. “I’ve poured my heart and soul into this sport and I am so proud to represent my culture and my country.”
And the UCLA student emphasized that—despite the disappointment—she has not given up on her sport.
“I will never waver from my values of competing with integrity, striving for excellence, upholding the values of sportsmanship and the rules that dictate fairness,” she added. “I have taken pride in cheering on everyone regardless of team or country. Finding joy again has been a culture shift and I love seeing others embrace it. I feel like I have given everyone permission to be authentic to who they are.”
The Team USA gymnast—who competed alongside Simone Biles, Suni Lee, Jade Carey and Hezly Rivera at the Paris 2024 Games—concluded by discussing the road ahead.
“I am now confronted with one of the most challenging moments of my career,” she admitted. “Believe me when I say I have had many. I will approach this challenge as I have others—and will make every effort to ensure that justice is done. I believe that at the end of this journey, the people in control will do the right thing.”
After Jordan’s medal was stripped, the title was allocated to Ana Barbosu, who initially won the bronze prior to Landi’s score inquiry during the Aug. 5 individual floor competition. The Romanian gymnast shared a statement in support of herself, her teammate Sabrina Maneca-Voinea—whose own score appeal was rejected—and Jordan following the polarizing decision.
“Sabrina, Jordan, my thoughts are with you,” Ana wrote on Instagram Aug. 11. “I know what you are feeling, because I’ve been through the same. But I know you’ll come back stronger. I hope from deep [in] my heart that at the next Olympics, all three of us will share [the] same podium. This is my true dream!”
