Jordan Chiles Appeals to Switzerland’s Federal Supreme Court to Reclaim Olympic Bronze in Gymnastics Controversy
American gymnast Jordan Chiles has taken her fight to Switzerland’s Federal Supreme Court in an effort to reclaim the bronze medal she won in the women’s floor event at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
This latest appeal comes after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled in favour of Romanian gymnast Ana Maria Barbosu, awarding her the bronze following a dispute over the timing of a scoring inquiry.
What caused the dispute?
The controversy began during the event finals in Paris when Chiles’ coach, Cecile Landi, called for an inquiry into Chiles’ score, which initially placed her in fifth. The inquiry bumped her score up enough to secure third place, however, Barbosu's team appealed to CAS, arguing that the inquiry was submitted four seconds after the one-minute deadline allowed by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG).
CAS agreed with Barbosu's team, resulting in Chiles being stripped of her medal, and stated that the delayed filing of the inquiry as the main reason for the reversal.
What does the appeal say?
In her appeal, Chiles' lawyers argue that video footage clearly shows the inquiry was submitted within the allowed time, but CAS refused to review this evidence. They also claim that the president of the CAS panel, Hamid Gharavi, had a conflict of interest due to his legal ties to Romania, which they argue compromised the fairness of the process.
Chiles and her legal team argue that the CAS decision violated her right to a fair hearing, claiming she wasn’t given sufficient notice of the hearing and that critical evidence was ignored.
Romanian officials, on the other hand, have maintained their position that the rules were followed, and CAS remains the highest authority in legal matters related to sports. They have also condemned what they called “outrageous statements” regarding the supposed bias in the case.
Chiles determined to see case through
“This is a fight for justice,” Chiles said in an Instagram post after the CAS decision. She has been vocal about how this ruling has been a "significant blow," but she remains determined to see the issue through, with the support of USA Gymnastics and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee.
In addition to the legal complexities, Chiles has also faced online racist abuse since the decision, further intensifying the personal stakes in this case. Despite the setbacks, she has expressed her determination to continue fighting, stating, “I will make every effort to ensure that justice is done.”
When could we see a result?
The decision from Switzerland’s Federal Supreme Court is expected to take several months. If successful, Chiles could see her bronze medal restored, but the legal battle could drag on for much longer as gymnastics and legal authorities navigate the complex and highly contested dispute.
While Chiles continues her fight, she still holds the team gold she won alongside Simone Biles in Paris, but the question of the individual bronze looms large in what has become one of the most talked-about Olympic controversies in recent memory.
