Romanian gymnastics officials have suggested that heartbroken American Jordan Chiles could share a bronze medal with Ana Barbosu and Sabrina Maneca-Voinea amid the ongoing dispute for third place in the Olympic floor routine.
Chiles initially finished fifth in the floor final, but the United States appealed the decision and her score increased enough for her to move up to third place ahead of Barbosu and Maneca-Voinea of Romania, respectively.
However, a few days later, a shocking decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that the judging panel was wrong to allow Chile’s score to be increased, as the appeal came outside the one-minute period allowed by the International Gymnastics Federation.
On Monday, the Romanian Gymnastics Federation suggested that all three gymnasts receive a medal, after Chiles was forced to give up the bronze she returned to the United States with.
“The initiative to award bronze medals to the three athletes, Jordan Chiles, Ana-Maria Barbosu and Sabrina Maneca-Voinea, was proposed by the lawyers of the Romanian Gymnastics Federation, with the prior approval of the Federation,” RFA said in a statement.
Romanian gymnastics officials issued a statement regarding Jordan Chiles’ bronze medal
The federation proposed that she share a medal with Ana Barbosu and Sabrina Maneca-Voinea
“The management of the Romanian Gymnastics Federation (RFA), through its representatives, has taken all necessary measures to reach this consensus. We emphasize that the American side made certain requests to achieve this goal and our side systematically fulfilled them, something that was appreciated by the American representative,” they continued.
The RFA stressed that it wanted to resolve the ongoing dispute “in a manner that shows respect and appreciation for the athletes involved.”
‘We call on the entire gymnastics community, both at home and abroad, to STOP the attacks against gymnasts Jordan Chiles, Ana-Maria Barbosu and Sabrina Maneca-Voinea.’
This comes amid news that the Centre for Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has refused to hear new video evidence submitted by the United States, which purportedly showed that the appeal to re-evaluate Chile’s score was, in fact, filed in less than sixty seconds.
Barbosu is expected to receive the bronze medal she snatched from Chile in Romania this week.
Chiles posted two statements on social media about the loss of her bronze medal
U.S. Gymnastics has since vowed to fight the ruling by appealing to the Swiss Federal Supreme Court, but it is extremely rare for CAS decisions to be overturned.
Barbosu, who has been in touch with Chiles via social media, will receive her bronze on Friday in Bucharest. A ceremony has been scheduled for the 20-year-old, at which the IOC will be present.
In the wake of the drama, Chiles, 23, posted four broken heart emojis on Instagram and said she was taking a break from social media, while her sister claimed racism played a role in the decision.
Barbosu, for his part, expressed solidarity with Chiles in a statement on social media.
“Sabrina (Maneca-Voinea), Jordan, my thoughts are with you. I know what you’re feeling because I went through the same thing,” she wrote in a post over the weekend.
Barbosu said he hopes to be on the podium alongside Chile at the next Olympic Games
Meanwhile, USA Gymnastics continues to fight to keep Chile’s bronze medal.
“But I know you will come back stronger. I sincerely hope that at the next Olympic Games we will all share the same podium. That is my true dream,” she added.
“This situation would not have occurred if those responsible had respected the rules. We, the athletes, are not to blame and the hatred directed at us is painful.
«I wanted to end this edition of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in the spirit of Olympism, the true value of the world.»
Chiles also received a message of support from her U.S. teammate Simone Biles, who told her Saturday: “Sending all my love to you, Jordan. Keep your head up, Olympic champion! We love you!”
