Team USA gymnast Jordan Chiles responded to the ongoing controversy over her women’s floor routine results during the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has ordered Chiles to return her bronze medal after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) found an appeal that gave her the third-place spot was filed four seconds late.
The International Federation of Gymnastics (FIG) determined Romanian gymnast Ana Barbosu earned the third-place spot.
Chiles said the news that she had been stripped of the medal was “devastating.”
“I have no words,” Chiles said on Thursday on social media. “This decision feels unjust and comes as a significant blow, not just to me, but to everyone who has championed my journey.”
Chiles and Barbosu both competed in the finals for the event in the Paris Olympics on August 5. Barbosu initially placed third in the competition. Chiles took her spot after an appeal made by her coach awarded the gymnast an extra tenth of a point for a completed skill originally not factored into the score.
She called the incident “one of the most challenging moments of my career.”
“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.”
The gymnast thanked her family, teammates, coaches, fans, USA Gymnastics and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee.
“I am overwhelmed by the love I have received over the past few days,” Chiles said in her statement.
Chiles also addressed “racially driven attacks” posted to social media.
“I’ve poured my heart and soul into this sport and I am so proud to represent my culture and my country.”
The IOC maintains that Romanian gymnast Ana Barbosu is “entitled” to a bronze medal while U.S. gymnast Jordan Chiles has no plans to return hers.
“The FIG (International Gymnastics Federation) adjusted ranking is based on a final CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport) award, which is binding on all the parties,” the IOC said in a statement to USA TODAY Sports. “While a challenge in the Swiss Federal Supreme Court is still possible, the CAS award is immediately enforceable and Ms. Barbosu is entitled to receive the bronze medal.”
Newsweek reached out to the IOC for comment.
Romanian officials announced they will hold a medal ceremony on Friday.
Chiles is now back in the U.S. and has yet to return her medal, according to the outlet.
The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) has voiced its dissatisfaction with the decision to change the results.
The organization claimed that timestamped video footage shows the appeal being submitted 47 seconds after Chiles’ score was given. CAS still refused to reopen the case.
U.S. officials plan to continue their appeal of the ruling.
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