Jordan Chiles' sister Jazmin blames racism after controversial ruling that may strip gymnast of bronze
PARIS, FRANCE: Jordan Chiles’ sister Jazmin is citing racism as the reason behind the US gymnast losing her bronze medal five days after initially winning it.
Jazmin is criticizing the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to strip Jordan of her bronze medal, which was won during the floor final last week, per Daily Mail.
In a dramatic turn of events, the court declared on Saturday that the inquiry that let Jordan move up from fifth to the third position was improperly granted, as it was submitted past the one-minute deadline.
On Sunday, the court said that instead of her podium finish, the 23-year-old US gymnast should have received her original 13.666 score and placed fifth, per news.com.au.
Naturally, the news did not sit well with Jordan’s family with Jazmin blasting the decision on her social media.
Jordan Chiles’ sister blames racism for her sister’s medal loss
In a fiery rant against the decision, Jordan Chiles' sister took to her Instagram Story to write, “Please keep Jordan (and my family) in your prayers. Racism is real, it exists, it is alive and well.”
She continued, “They have officially, 5 days later, stripped her of one of her medals. Not because she didn't win, not because she was drugged, not because she stepped out of bounds. Not because she wasn't good enough.”
“But because the judges failed to give her difficulty and forced an inquiry to be made,” Jazmin said.
Calling out the four-second delay, Jordan’s elder sister said, “FOUR SECONDS. Her bronze was stripped over 4 seconds of time that would have never needed to happen if the judges did their job.”
“I love you baby sis. And I got yo back no matter what,” Jazmin concluded in her first post.
In a second post, she continued, “Just so y'all aware - in the HISTORY of the Olympics NO ONE has ever been stripped of their medal for this.”
“Also - there are only TWO ways you can be stripped of a medal. Cheating or doping. She did neither,” Jazmin added.
In addition to Jazmin, Jordan's Team USA teammate Simone Biles also expressed her support following the devastating news.
Biles wrote on her Instagram, “Sending you so much love Jordan. Keep your chin up olympic champ! we love you!”
Following the ruling, a heartbroken Jordan posted three heartbroken emojis on her Instagram Story and wrote, “I am taking this time and removing myself from social media for my mental health, thank you.”
Why was Jordan Chiles stripped of her podium finish?
On Saturday, August 10, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled that the inquiry that boosted Jordan Chiles' score to secure her podium finish was improperly granted, as it was filed after the one-minute deadline.
Originally, Jordan received a score of 13.666 which placed her at the fifth position. While the Brazilian Rebeca Andrade was placed first, Simone Biles was placed second.
After completing her floor routine, Romanian Ana Barbosu realized she would be taking third place and began celebrating with her nation's flag.
However, after the successful inquiry launched by the USA Gymnastics, Jordan’s score increased by one-tenth of a point twitch putting her past Barbosu’s total to place her third.
However, after the Romanian Gymnastics Federation instigated an inquiry as its gymnasts, Ana Barbosu and Sabrina Voinea were pushed down because of Jordan’s finish, the CAS declared Jordan’s podium finish to be wrong.
On Saturday, the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) also upheld the CAS decision, placing Ana Barbosu in third and Jordan Chiles in fifth.
However, it has not yet been confirmed whether Jordan will be required to physically return her bronze medal.
Internet disputes Jazmin's claims of racism in medal decision
Though Jordan Chiles' sister Jazmin attributed the incident to "racism," the internet largely disagreed. Many criticized her claims, arguing that the issue was related to performance, not racism.
One of the readers commented online, "I'm sorry, but calling racism is just a tired excuse. I'm an American and I want Jordan to win, but if there was an error, then that's the way it goes. I don't care what anyone's skin color is."
Another social media user said, "If that were the case, how come so many quality athletes of all colors win so many medals.. stop."
"I really fail to see where racism is involved if that’s the case wouldn’t the other two medalist have their medals taken away?" chimed in another. [sic]
Someone else added, "An accusation of racism is a powerful thing and should not be used when every single thing in life doesn't go your way. Wake up, Gen Z. Because many things in life will not go your way."
"I was on Jordan’s side until the card was played. Weak deflection," noted a social media user.
Another netizen firmly declared, "Racism has nothing to do with it. They missed the one-minute mark- yes by 4 seconds but rules are rules. Judges should have caught the time error sooner but didn’t."
"She was not supposed to get this medal, Romanian gymnast did. Mistake was corrected. Has nothing to do with racism, so many African American medalists, please," noted another disgruntled netizen. [sic]
Someone else added, "Of course she would say that it’s the default position for those who didn’t win fair and square." [sic]
"This has nothing to do with racism, it’s all to do with performance," summed up another.
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.
