Jordan Chiles STRIPPED of bronze medal as IOC rules to reallocate medal to Romanian gymnast Ana Barbosu

IOC orders Jordan Chiles to return the bronze medal, ending the cheating allegations saga.

Jordan Chiles STRIPPED of bronze medal as IOC rules to reallocate medal to Romanian gymnast Ana Barbosu

Ana Barbosu and Jordan Chiles [Image Credit: Spotmedia/Fox News]

Following IOC’s latest ruling, American gymnast Jordan Chiles is to return the bronze medal from the floor finals competition to Romanian gymnast Ana Barbosu. The ruling came after a huge controversy stirred the whole gymnastics community when the judge awarded a 0.1 score to Chiles, prompting her to third place ahead of Barbosu.

Prior to Chiles’ coach Cecile Landi’s re-evaluation request, Barbosu was deemed as the 3rd place finisher, and she herself started celebrating the special moment on the stage. However, the celebration was short-lived as the updated scoreboard boosted Chiles to 3rd, leaving Barbosu heartbroken.

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Her sobbing after seeing the updated score broke many fan’s hearts who questioned Jordan Chiles’ qualification for the bronze medal. Her mother and coach stood up against the cheating allegations, asking the fans to stop pulling out “racist” comments, and that she rightfully “earned” the medal.

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The Romanian Gymnastics Federation later asked CAS to review the procedure surrounding Landi’s request for Chiles’ re-evaluation. Upon further investigation, it was revealed that Landi was past the mark of the one-minute rule set by FIG (International Gymnastics Federation).

The guidelines state that any coach can ask for an appeal within the allotted time of 1-minute from the score being posted. However, Landi’s request crossed the threshold, marking the appeal at 1 minute and 4 seconds. 

Following the rule, Jordan Chiles’ additional mark was brought back down to 13.666, and the initial order of the scoreboard was restored. By this standing, Ana Barbosu finished 3rd, Sabrina Maneca-Voinea placed 4th, and Chiles 5th. 

The FIG noted that although the initial order was restored it would be up to IOC to grant the medals. The IOC declared that they work with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee and see to it that Chiles’ bronze medal gets handed down to Barbosu. 

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Gymnastics Team USA reacts to Jordan Chiles heartbreaking news

Social media exploded after it was revealed that Jordan Chiles had to return the bronze medal to Romanian gymnast Ana Barbosu following the IOC ruling. She later took to Instagram, noting that she’ll be “removing myself from social media for my mental health.”

Jordan Chiles [Image Credit: Paris 2024]
Jordan Chiles [Image Credit: Paris 2024]

During the past couple of days, the 2x Olympian got attacked by many on social media platforms, asking her to return the medal to the rightful owner, and accusing her of cheating. Even USA Gymnastics along with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee posted a statement noting, “No athlete should be subject to such treatment.”

Simone Biles, Suni Lee, Jade Carey, and Hezly Rivera all showered their support for Chiles on social media platforms. Her family, coach, and everyone shared what a difficult time she is going through mentally and how the online comments are not helping better the situation.

Ana Barbosu took to social media noting “We, athletes are not to be blamed, and the hate directed to us is painful.” She further pointed out how this whole heartbreaking situation could’ve been avoided had “the persons in charge had respected the regulation.”

Many are blaming the judge for their mistake which led to this whole chaos. While others are supporting all three athletes for their well-being and mental health as they go through tough times.

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