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Jordan Chiles-Ana Barbosu Olympic medal controversy deepens as ANOTHER Romanian gymnast appeals to Swiss court, saying she deserves the bronze medal
The bronze medal in the floor exercise at the 2024 Paris Olympics has astonishingly become one of the hottest prizes in sports weeks after the closing ceremony.
In light of the decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), the International Olympic Committee reallocated the bronze to Ana Barbosu of Romania on August 16 after the medal was previously awarded to Team USA's Jordan Chiles.
The American initially finished fifth in the eight-woman final on August 5 in Paris before Team USA coach Cecile Landi appealed, asking for Chiles to receive credit for a maneuver that would boost her score by 0.1. The appeal was granted, moving Chiles into third ahead of Barbosu and fellow-Romanian Sabrina Maneca-Voinea.
Now, after USA Gymnastics and the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee announced their intention to challenge the Court of Arbitration for Sport's ruling, Maneca-Voinea and the Roman Gymnastics Federation are also appealing to the Swiss Federal Tribunal, saying they were improperly docked 0.1 points for going out of bounds during the floor final.
And had Maneca-Voinea not been penalized, the Romanian Gymnastics Federation contends, the debate over awarding the bronze to either Barbosu or Chiles would be moot.
Had Maneca-Voinea not been penalized, the Romanian Gymnastics Federation contends, the debate over awarding the bronze to either Barbosu or Chiles would be moot
Romanian gymnast Ana Maria Barbosu poses with her Olympic bronze medal on August 16
Jordan Chiles poses with the bronze medal, which would later be vacated by the IOC
Team Romania appealed her score to CAS, which rejected the challenge saying it was a 'field-of-play' decision that fell outside the parameters of what can be appealed.
'The decision as to whether a 0.1 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 wrote in its decision earlier this month. '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.'
Now Maneca-Voinea hoes the Swiss Federal Tribunal can overturn the CAS ruling.
On social media, Chiles called the CAS decision to strip her of her bronze as 'unjust' and a 'significant blow.'
Romania successfully protested to the CAS that Landi's appeal was not made within one minute of Chiles' score being posted, and the panel ruled the bronze should go to Barbosu. The International Gymnastics Federation reinstated the initial order of finish and the IOC announced it would reallocate the bronze to Barbosu.
'I have no words,' Chiles wrote in an Instagram post. '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.'
USA Gymnastics said it will continue efforts to let Chiles keep the medal.
The sport's governing body in the United States disputes Romania's claim that Landi's appeal came 4 seconds too late, saying Sunday it submitted video evidence to CAS that showed Landi first appealed 13 seconds before the deadline.
Of course, if Maneca-Voinea and the Romanian Gymnastics Federation can successfully argue that she never stepped out of bounds to the Swiss Federal Tribunal, neither Chiles nor Barbosu will end up with the bronze.