Jordan Chiles has been asked to return her Olympic bronze medal. Here’s why

By Becca Wood from Today News

Team USA’s inquiry during the women’s gymnastics floor final led to Chiles’ earning bronze, bumping two Romanian gymnasts to fourth and fifth.

U.S. Olympic officials say they will appeal a court ruling that led to gymnast Jordan Chiles being asked to return the bronze medal she won at the Paris Games.

Following a decision from the the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which recommended Chiles’ original floor routine score be reinstated, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said Aug. 11 the organization “will reallocate” the bronze medal from Chiles to Romania’s Ana Bărbosu.

“Following the CAS decision with regard to the Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Floor Exercise Final and the amendment of the ranking by the International Gymnastics Federation, the IOC will reallocate the bronze medal to Ana Barbosu (Romania),” the statement read. “We are in touch with the NOC of Romania to discuss the reallocation ceremony and with USOPC regarding the return of the bronze medal.”

Hours later, however, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee said in a statement that they would be appealing the court’s decision.

“We firmly believe that Jordan rightfully earned the bronze medal, and there were critical errors in both the initial scoring by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) and the subsequent CAS appeal process that need to be addressed,” the statement read.

The news comes after a ruling by the CAS, who voided the inquiry that ultimately caused Chiles to win a bronze medal for her floor routine. The court found that the inquiry was submitted past the 1-minute deadline.

But USA Gymnastics shared Sunday that the organization has submitted a letter, accompanied by video evidence, to the CAS to show that Team USA’s request to file an inquiry was submitted within 47 seconds of Chiles’ score being posted.

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