Jordan Chiles cries on stage after losing Olympic bronze medal

Jordan Chiles, a prominent gymnast, expressed her emotional turmoil after losing her bronze medal from the Paris Olympics during the 2024 Forbes Power Women's Summit in New York City. Initially finishing fifth in the women's gymnastics floor exercise final, Chiles was elevated to third place following a successful appeal by her coaches. However, the Court of Arbitration for Sport later voided this appeal, reinstating her original score and awarding the bronze to Ana Barbosu of Romania. Chiles articulated that the loss of her medal represented more than just a physical accolade; it stripped her of recognition and validation as an athlete and as an individual. She reflected on her past experiences, including emotional and verbal abuse from a coach in 2018, which contributed to her feelings of voicelessness. The gymnast emphasized that her journey was not solely about the medal but also intertwined with her identity and the challenges she faced as a person of color in the sport. Despite the setback, Chiles remains proud of her accomplishments, including her role in helping Team USA secure gold in the women's artistic team all-around event. She expressed her disappointment over the unjust nature of the decision and the racially charged attacks she faced on social media, which added to her heartbreak. Chiles concluded by affirming her commitment to making history and representing her culture and country with pride, despite the challenges she has encountered in her athletic career.