Judges' Error in Paris Olympics Floor Routine Results in Dispute Over Bronze Medal

In a controversial ruling, U.S. gymnast Jordan Chiles has been stripped of her Olympic bronze medal following a successful appeal by the Romanian Gymnastics Federation, which resulted in Ana Barbosu being awarded the medal. Chiles described the decision as "unjust" and expressed her disappointment over the "racially driven attacks" she has faced on social media. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled that Chiles' coach submitted an appeal four seconds past the one-minute deadline, a claim that USA Gymnastics disputes, asserting they have evidence to prove the inquiry was filed on time. Chiles, who initially celebrated her bronze medal after a scoring adjustment, has since been relegated to fifth place. The ruling has sparked outrage, with USA Gymnastics and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee vowing to continue their fight for Chiles. They argue that crucial communications from CAS were sent to incorrect email addresses, hindering their ability to prepare adequately for the hearing. The CAS has maintained that the appeal was submitted too late, leading to the reinstatement of Chiles' original score of 13.666. The situation has drawn attention to potential conflicts of interest, as the panel chair, Hamid G. Gharavi, has ties to the Romanian government. Despite the controversy, the CAS has stated that no objections were raised regarding the panel's composition during the proceedings. Chiles has taken a break from social media to protect her mental health, while Barbosu has expressed sympathy for her American counterpart, emphasizing that the issues lie with the judging process rather than the athletes themselves.