Jordan Chiles Steps Back from Social Media for Mental Health

Team USA gymnast Jordan Chiles has announced a hiatus from social media following a tumultuous experience at the Paris Olympics, where she secured two medals: a team gold and an individual bronze in the floor exercise. Chiles initially finished fifth in the floor event, but her coach's inquiry into her score allowed her to rise to the podium. This decision sparked controversy, particularly after the Romanian team appealed the ruling, seeking to restore the original scores of their athletes. Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu publicly expressed his discontent, stating he would not attend the Olympics closing ceremony until the scores were reviewed. He criticized the decision to withdraw a medal based on an appeal that lacked clarity, calling it "totally unacceptable." The situation escalated when the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled against Chiles's coach's inquiry, deeming it invalid due to a timing issue with the submission. In response to the ruling, USA Gymnastics and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee expressed their devastation, emphasizing that the inquiry was made in good faith to ensure fair scoring. They praised Chiles for her integrity and reiterated their support for her during this challenging time. Chiles later shared on her Instagram that she would be stepping back from social media for her mental health. Her mother, Gina Chiles, also took to X to address the ongoing backlash, highlighting the persistence of racist comments directed at her daughter, which she finds unacceptable in 2024.