Simone Biles, Suni Lee, and Others React to Jordan Chiles Medal Controversy

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Simone Biles and Suni Lee react to Jordan Chiles’ medal controversy

“Keep your chin up Olympic champ! We love you!” wrote Simone Biles on Instagram.

Courtesy: AFP

Jordan Chiles’ 2024 Olympics teammates are supporting her after a ranking change in the women’s individual floor final jeopardized her bronze medal.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled on August 10 to invalidate a score adjustment that had moved Chiles from fifth to third place, leading Simone Biles and other Team USA members to post supportive messages for the gymnast.

“Sending you so much love Jordan,” Biles, who won silver at the event, wrote on her Instagram Stories. “Keep your chin up Olympic champ! We love you!”

The 27-year-old, the most decorated U.S. Olympic gymnast with seven golds and 11 medals overall, posted a photo hugging her tearful teammate after the score change at the floor exercise final. This adjustment moved Romanian gymnasts Ana Maria Barbosu and Sabrina Maneca-Voinea down to fourth and fifth place, prompting an appeal.

Barbosu is now ranked third, according to the International Gymnastics Federation, which did not clarify whether Chiles would keep her medal or address the Romanian team’s request for a three-way tie for bronze.

Suni Lee, who won individual bronze in the all-around and uneven bars but did not compete in the floor final, expressed anger at the court’s decision to reinstate Chiles’ lower score, citing the coach’s inquiry was submitted four seconds late.

“All this talk about the athlete, what about the judges?” the 21-year-old wrote on her Instagram Stories. “Completely unacceptable. This is awful and I’m gutted for Jordan. I got your back forever Jo. U have all my flowers and you will ALWAYS be an Olympic champion.”

Lee also shared a joint statement from USA Gymnastics and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, expressing their “devastation” over the court’s ruling.