Jordan Chiles' Olympics bronze medal dispute rocked by shocking 'conflict of interest' claim
PARIS, FRANCE: In a twist that’s raising eyebrows across the sports world, it was revealed that the head of the panel, who ruled against Jordan Chiles in favor of Romanian athlete Ana Barbosu, has deep ties to Romania's government.
On Saturday, August 10, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) made the shocking decision to strip Chiles of her Olympic bronze in the floor final at the 2024 Paris Olympics, reinstating Barbosu to third place.
Jordan Chiles's Olympics bronze dispute rocked by 'conflict of interest' claim
Jordan Chiles had initially claimed the bronze after her coaches successfully appealed her score, leaving Ana Barbosu, who had been celebrating her win, in tears.
The situation surrounding Jordan Chiles' lost Olympic bronze has taken an even more controversial turn with the revelation of a potential conflict of interest.
The New York Times reported that Hamid G Gharavi, the chair of the panel that ruled in favor of Barbosu, has a history of representing the Romanian government in legal disputes.
Reportedly, panel members are required to complete a conflict of interest form before taking on any case, and Gharavi did disclose his connections to Romania. However, when approached by the news outlet, he declined to comment on the matter.
Chiles responded to the ruling with a series of broken-hearted emojis on Instagram, announcing a break from social media.
Her sister Jazmin went further, suggesting that racism played a role in the decision.
Ana Barbosu to receive reallocated bronze medal after CAS ruling
USA Gymnastics has expressed that they "are devastated" over the ruling that stripped Jordan Chiles of her Olympic bronze and has vowed to fight back by appealing to the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland, CNN reported.
However, the odds are slim, as it’s rare for decisions by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to be overturned.
Chiles also took to social media to convey that she was taking a break to take care of her mental health.
Meanwhile, Barbosu, who reached out to Chiles on social media, is set to receive her bronze medal in a ceremony scheduled for August 16 in Bucharest, with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in attendance.
It remains unclear whether she will receive the same medal Chiles once held or if Chiles has already been required to return hers.
Chiles initially secured the bronze in women’s floor exercise at the Paris Games after her coach successfully challenged her score, raising it from 13.666 to 13.766.
Now, with the CAS ruling in Barbosu’s favor, the situation has taken a heartbreaking turn for the American gymnast.
Jordan Chiles' first individual Olympic Bronze medal
Chiles, a member of the silver medal-winning team at the 2020 Summer Olympics, secured the bronze medal in the women's floor exercise at the Paris Olympics as her first and only individual medal of her Olympic career.
It was a moment of triumph that came after she moved into third place, surpassing Romania’s Ana Barbosu and Sabrina Maneca-Voinea.
While Chiles also secured a gold medal in the team event in Paris and a silver in Tokyo, this individual accomplishment was particularly significant.
However, the victory was short-lived. Romania challenged the result, taking their case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
They argued that the United States' inquiry into Chiles' score was not submitted within the one-minute window required by the rules, claiming the Americans were four seconds late.
After the CAS ruling favored Romania, stripping Chiles of her bronze, the US Gymnastics team responded by presenting video evidence.
They contended that coach Cecile Landi had actually submitted the appeal 47 seconds after Chiles' initial score was posted—well within the allowed time.
The situation remains contentious, as the US fights to overturn the decision that has marred what should have been a celebratory moment in Chiles' career.
