Jordan Chiles is heartbroken after being stripped of her Olympic bronze medal, and revealed experiencing racially motivated abuse on social media. “I have no words. This decisions feels unjust and comes as a significant blow not just to me but to everyone who has championed my journey,” Chiles wrote on social media yesterday. “To add to the heartbreak, the unprompted racially driven attacks on social media are wrong and extremely hurtful.”
Chiles initially secured bronze in the floor exercise at the Paris Olympics through a successful appeal but was later ordered to return the medal, with Romanian gymnast Ana Barbosu promoted to third place. Despite submitting evidence of the timely appeal, the Court Of Arbitration For Sport dismissed the case. But Chiles remains determined to seek justice. “I will approach this challenge as I have others – and I will make every effort to ensure that justice is done,” Chiles wrote. “I believe that at the end of this journey, the people in control will do the right thing.” USA Gymnastics may escalate the matter to the Swiss Federal Tribunal. (Variety)
