Twist in Jordan Chiles-Ana Barbosu Olympic medal drama as another Romanian gymnast appeals in Swiss court

LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND: The controversy around the bronze medal in the floor exercise final at the 2024 Paris Olympics has turned more dramatic after another Romanian gymnast appealed at the Swiss Federal Tribunal seeking the bronze, which was first awarded to Jordan Chiles and then reallocated to Ana Barbosu.

Sabrina Maneca-Voinea and the Romanian Gymnastics Federation have challenged the docking of her 0.10 points during the floor final earlier this month. They first appealed the decision of deducting her points for going out of bounds through the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), but it was rejected.

Now, Maneca-Voinea and the Romanian Gymnastics Federation have approached the Swiss court to overturn the CAS ruling and adjust the score that would grant her the bronze medal.

CAS deems Sabrina Maneca-Voinea's score deduction 'field-of-play' decision

CAS denied Maneca-Voinea and the  Romanian Gymnastics Federation's score challenge, calling it a "field-of-play" decision.

"The decision as to whether a 0.10 deduction was appropriate is a textbook example of a 'field of play' decision, one that does not permit the arbitrators to substitute their views for that of the referee," CAS stated in its decision in early August, as per Daily Mail.

"It warrants the non-interference of CAS as it entails the exercise of judgment by the referee, based on expertise in the 'field of play.' Whether the judgment is right or wrong, it cannot be reviewed."

The bronze medal was the center of controversy on the day of the floor exercise final. The medal was initially awarded to Chiles at the Paris Games.

After she came fifth in the final on August 5, Team USA coach Cecile Landi's appeal boosted her score to secure the bronze medal. However, the CAS later backtracked on the decision, leading the International Olympic Committee to award the medal to Romania's Barbosu on August 16.

Sabrina Maneca-Voinea's score challenge deepens Olympic bronze medal drama

According to her appeal in the Swiss court, if the 0.10 deductions had not taken place, she would have been the bronze medal winner instead of Chiles or Barbosu.

The replays showed the Romanian gymnast did not go out of bounds, and her score would have been 13.8 without the deduction - ahead of her fellow Romanian or the US gymnast, as per USA Today.

The CAS ruling against Chiles drew backlash, and the USA Gymnastics and the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee would challenge what they deemed procedural errors in the Swiss Federal Tribunal.

Chiles had weighed in on the situation that stripped her of the first individual Olympic medal through an emotional Instagram post earlier this month.

"I have no words," the US gymnast wrote. "This decision feels unjust and comes as a significant blow, not just to me, but to everyone who has championed my journey. To add to the heartbreak, the unprompted racially driven attacks on social media are wrong and extremely hurtful. I've poured my heart and soul into this sport and I am so proud to represent my culture and my country."

If Maneca-Voinea and the Romanian Gymnastic Federation succeed in the appeal to the Swiss court, the bronze medal would neither be awarded to Barbosu nor Chiles.