Jordan Chiles has finally addressed the situation after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) decided to revoke the U.S. gymnast’s Olympic bronze medal.
In an emotional post on Instagram, the 23-year-old expressed how “overwhelmed” she felt by the outpouring of love and support during what has been a challenging and confusing time.
The controversy centers around the results of the women’s floor final at the Paris Summer Games on August 5.
Jordan Chiles Breaks Silence
“I am deeply thankful for my family, teammates, coaches, fans, USAG, and the USOPC,” Chiles wrote on Thursday, August 15. “Even though I was celebrating my Olympic achievements, I was crushed by the news that my bronze medal was being taken away.”
Jordan Chiles explained that she believed in the appeal made by USAG, which presented strong evidence that her score was in line with all the regulations. However, the appeal did not succeed.
“I’m at a loss for words,” Chiles said, describing the ruling. “This feels so unfair, and it impacts not just me but everyone who has supported my journey.” She also addressed the negativity that has emerged from the situation. “It’s heartbreaking to see the hateful, racially charged comments on social media. I’ve dedicated myself to this sport, and I take pride in representing both my culture and my country.”
Read also: Simone Biles’ Biological Mother Begs for Forgiveness After Abandoned Her Due to Drug Addiction
Chiles went on to emphasize her commitment to integrity, excellence, and fairness in the sport. “I’ve always competed with sportsmanship and followed the rules. I’ve cheered for everyone, no matter their team or country. Finding joy in gymnastics has been a personal journey, and seeing others do the same means so much to me.”
The Olympian, who also won gold in the team final alongside Simone Biles, Hezley Rivera, Jade Carey, and Sunisa Lee in Paris, described this moment as one of the toughest in her career. She acknowledged that she’s faced many challenges in her gymnastics journey but remains determined to seek justice.
“I’ll tackle this challenge like I have all the others, and I trust that the right decision will be made in the end,” Chiles concluded.
