Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles and her legal team have filed an appeal with the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland, challenging the decision by the Center of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to strip her of a bronze medal in the floor exercise routine.
Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles and her legal team have filed an appeal with the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland, challenging the decision by the Center of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to strip her of a bronze medal in the floor exercise routine.
Chiles was initially awarded the bronze medal at the Paris Games when her coaches filed a score inquiry after her performance. The inquiry elevated her from fifth to third place. However, Romanian officials subsequently appealed to CAS, which overturned Chiles' score and awarded the medal to a Romanian gymnast.
Jordan Chiles and Team Appeal CAS Decision in Olympic Bronze Medal Scandal
Chiles' lawyers argue that the CAS decision was procedurally deficient on two grounds: first, CAS violated Chiles' "right to be heard" by refusing to consider video evidence that showed her inquiry was submitted on time, and second, the entire CAS proceeding was unfair because Chiles was not properly informed that the panel president had a conflict of interest.
The United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and USA Gymnastics have expressed their support for Chiles' appeal. Chiles has previously stated that she believes the controversy is racially motivated, as it resulted in the first gymnastics podium in Olympic history that featured three Black contestants.
Jordan Chiles and Team Appeal CAS Decision in Olympic Bronze Medal Scandal
In a statement, Chiles' lawyers said, "Chiles asks the Supreme Court to find that the CAS decision was procedurally deficient for two reasons. First, CAS violated Chiles' fundamental 'right to be heard' by refusing to consider the video evidence that showed her inquiry was submitted on time – in direct contradiction to the findings in CAS' decision."
"Second, the entire CAS proceeding was unfair because Chiles was not properly informed that Hamid G. Gharavi, the President of the CAS panel that revoked Chiles's bronze medal and awarded it instead to a Romanian gymnast, had a serious conflict of interest: Mr. Gharavi has acted as counsel for Romania for almost a decade and was actively representing Romania at the time of the CAS arbitration."
Jordan Chiles and Team Appeal CAS Decision in Olympic Bronze Medal Scandal
The Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland has yet to rule on Chiles' appeal.
In addition to the CAS appeal, Chiles and her team are also pursuing an investigation into the alleged conflict of interest.
In a statement, USOPC said, "The USOPC supports Jordan Chiles' pursuit of justice. We believe that she was unfairly stripped of her bronze medal and we are committed to supporting her in her efforts to right this wrong."
USA Gymnastics said, "USA Gymnastics is working closely with Jordan and her team in the continued pursuit of justice for Jordan."
Chiles has stated that she is determined to clear her name and restore her rightful place on the podium.
"I'm not going to let this break me," Chiles said. "I'm going to fight for what I know is right."
The outcome of Chiles' appeal could have significant implications for the future of sports arbitration and the protection of athletes' rights.
