Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles rang in the New Year by proudly displaying her gold medal in a celebratory post, despite ongoing legal battles over the controversial withdrawal of her bronze medal from the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The 23-year-old reposted an official Team USA collage on Instagram, which featured her holding the gold medal she earned with her teammates in the women’s team event.
The post served as a triumphant moment for Chiles amid the emotional and legal challenges she continues to face.
Chiles is currently appealing a decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) that stripped her of the bronze medal she initially won in the women’s floor exercise final, citing a late appeal by U.S. coaches.
The medal was awarded instead to Romania’s Ana Barbosu.
Controversial Decision Sparks Backlash
The controversy began when U.S. coaches requested a scoring review after Chiles’ floor routine, resulting in judges adjusting her score and moving her into third place. The adjustment led to a historic all-Black podium featuring Chiles, Simone Biles, and Brazil’s Rebecca Andrade.
However, on the final day of the Olympics, CAS ruled that the U.S. inquiry had missed the submission deadline and revoked Chiles’ medal. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) later demanded the return of the medal, though Chiles and Team USA have refused, citing ongoing appeals.
Chiles’ legal team has filed appeals with both the Swiss Federal Supreme Court and the CAS, alleging procedural flaws and a conflict of interest. They argue that the panel president, Hamid G. Gharavi, who presided over the decision, had longstanding ties to Romania, representing the nation in legal matters.
“Chiles asks the Supreme Court to find that the CAS decision was procedurally deficient,” her lawyers stated, stating that critical video evidence supporting her claim was disregarded.
A Fight Beyond the Medal
Chiles has spoken candidly about the toll the situation has taken on her, describing it as racially charged. During the Forbes Power Women’s Summit, she emotionally reflected on the incident, saying:
“To me, everything that has gone on is not about the medal, it’s about, you know, my skin color.”
The gymnast has faced racial attacks online following the historic podium finish and continues to advocate for fairness in sports.
A Call for Change
The controversy has drawn international scrutiny. Both the CAS and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) have condemned the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) for failing to implement mechanisms to prevent such disputes.
As the appeals continue, Chiles’ New Year post highlights her resilience and determination to move forward. Her gold medal remains a symbol of her success, even as the fight for her bronze medal—and for systemic change—continues.
