U.S. gymnastics legend Simone Biles has expressed her unwavering support for teammate Jordan Chiles as she continues to fight the Court of Arbitration for Sport's (CAS) ruling to return her bronze medal in the floor final at the Paris Olympics.
U.S. gymnastics legend Simone Biles is firmly behind her teammate Jordan Chiles as the latter contests the Court of Arbitration for Sport's (CAS) decision to revoke her bronze medal from the floor exercise final at the Paris Olympics.
Simone Biles Supports Jordan Chiles Amid Paris Olympics Bronze Medal Dispute
Biles conveyed her support for Chiles during an interview with People magazine, stating that she has been actively communicating with her teammate amidst the ongoing dispute. "We've been FaceTiming, texting, just being girls," Biles said. She encouraged Chiles to embrace her emotions and seek justice through the appropriate channels.
The CAS ruling stemmed from a protest filed by Romanian gymnasts, who argued that Chiles' final score had been incorrectly adjusted by Team USA's appeal. The appeal granted Chiles an additional 0.1 points for a maneuver, propelling her into third place and earning her the bronze medal. However, Romania contested the timing of the appeal, claiming it had not been submitted within the stipulated one-minute timeframe.
Simone Biles Supports Jordan Chiles Amid Paris Olympics Bronze Medal Dispute
Chiles' bronze medal was subsequently restored to Romanian gymnast Ana Barbosu, leaving Chiles without a medal for her performance in the floor final. The decision has sparked controversy and disappointment within the U.S. gymnastics community.
Biles acknowledged the unfortunate nature of the situation, expressing her desire for all three gymnasts to have received medals. She emphasized the lack of precedent for such a decision in gymnastics and criticized the procedures leading to the CAS ruling.
Simone Biles Supports Jordan Chiles Amid Paris Olympics Bronze Medal Dispute
"Do we think they did the correct procedures to come to this ruling? No," Biles said. "That's really why we want that justice for Jordan and why we're going to keep supporting her and uplifting her."
Chiles has declared her determination to pursue justice in the matter, stating that the decision feels "unjust." Her teammate Biles echoed this sentiment, reaffirming her support for Chiles' pursuit of a fair outcome.
The bronze medal dispute has drawn attention to the complexities of scoring and appeals in gymnastics. Chiles' initial fifth-place finish was revised after the appeal, only to be reversed again by the CAS ruling. The controversy has raised questions about the consistency and fairness of the judging process.
Biles expressed her admiration for Chiles' resilience and determination in the face of adversity. "She had confidence in the appeal brought by (USA Gymnastics), who gave conclusive evidence that my score followed all the rules," Chiles wrote in a statement after the CAS ruling. "This appeal was unsuccessful."
Biles condemned the racially driven attacks that Chiles has faced on social media following the ruling, emphasizing that such behavior is both wrong and hurtful. She commended Chiles for being a role model and inspiration for young athletes.
"I've poured my heart and soul into this sport, and I am so proud to represent my culture and my country," Chiles said in her statement. She vowed to continue striving for excellence and to promote inclusivity and diversity within gymnastics.
