Jordan Chiles takes 'control' of her narrative after Olympics controversy: 'The medal is mine'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Jordan Chiles is stepping forward to share her side of the story after months of controversy surrounding the bronze medal she earned for Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Four months after her victory was questioned, the 23-year-old gymnast publicly addressed the situation for the first time on a live TV interview, noting that it hasn’t been easy but that she’s ready to "speak on my truth."

Jordan Chiles opens up about 'very difficult time' after medal dispute

In an interview on the 'Today' show with Hoda Kotb, Jordan Chiles discussed the importance of the bronze medal currently in dispute, saying, "I have the medal. The medal is mine."

This statement comes amid reports that she had been forced to give up the medal to Romanian gymnast Ana Barbosu, who was seen with a bronze medal for the individual floor routine initially awarded to Chiles.

Chiles shared, "Honestly, it’s been really, really hard just to comprehend everything that’s been happening."

She admitted feeling overwhelmed but has since found the confidence to address what has happened.

"I feel like I recently have been trying to tell myself I’ve been OK, the past four, five months, and it’s honestly been a very, very difficult time."

Jordan Chiles on staying strong amid medal judgment controversy

Jordan Chiles voiced her frustration over the circumstances, noting how tough it was to reconcile doing everything right yet still facing the risk of losing her medal.

Initially, Chiles was placed fifth in the floor exercise at the Paris Olympics. However, her coach, Cecile Landi, noticed a judging error in the difficulty rating of a routine element.

After correction, Chiles' score was adjusted, elevating her to third place, as noted by NBC News.

Later, however on the last day of the event, following an appeal from the Romanian gymnast, the International Olympic Committee argued that the appeal was four seconds too late, abiding by a Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling.

Chiles lost the bronze, which was then awarded to Barbosu, 18. 

"I’ve been like, ‘OK, I can’t control what’s happening on the outside," Chiles said, pointing that the video evidence from the competition showed that the inquiry call was made within 60 seconds.

"It’s hard to tell yourself that everything’s going to be fine when you know literally we didn’t do anything wrong," she continued. "I can only control what my truth is.’ I know what the truth is, and I know that we were right in everything that we were doing."

Jordan Chiles on Olympic Bronze's importance for her

Jordan Chiles also discussed why the disputed medal holds importance for her, even though she helped Team USA win gold in Paris.

"It was like a cherry on top," she shared. "My redemption tour going into Paris was yes, coming back with a gold, coming back with the understanding that I was able to go out there and be the best version of myself."

Standing on the podium with her teammate Simone Biles, who earned silver, and Brazilian gymnast Rebecca Andrade, who won gold, was another special aspect of the experience.

"It was an all-Black podium, that was history made," she said. "That was something I was very proud to be a part of."

Looking ahead, Chiles isn’t ruling out competing at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics but is focused on the present.

“LA is in and out of my mind,” she noted, adding that she’s taking time to process the events in Paris. “I think right now I’m just trying to take in what’s happened from Paris and just try to take it day by day.”