Geneva-based Swiss Federal Tribunal judges have directed the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to revisit the controversial case involving American gymnast Jordan Chiles and the bronze medal awarded in the women’s floor exercise at the 2024 Paris Olympics. This extraordinary judicial intervention specifically addresses new evidence related to the appeal process initiated by the Romanian team, which led to the medal being reassigned from Chiles to Ana Maria Barbosu just days after the competition.
This case, which captured global attention partly due to the iconic photograph showcasing Jordan Chiles alongside Simone Biles and Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade—all prominent women of color—hinges on whether the U.S. team’s challenge to Chiles’ floor routine score was made within the official one-minute window during the Olympics.
The Swiss Federal Tribunal underscored that the circumstances surrounding this dispute are "highly exceptional." It ruled that an audiovisual recording of the competition's final, held on August 5, 2024, must be examined. This footage could be decisive in determining whether the initial appeal fell within the strict time limits required, which would in turn affect the legitimacy of stripping Chiles’ bronze medal.
Following the Romanian team’s appeal to CAS, the original third-place result was overturned rapidly, and the medal was ceremoniously presented to Barbosu in Bucharest the following week. However, the recent court ruling mandates that CAS include the newly surfaced evidence in its reassessment.
Court officials confirmed that this development allows a "thorough judicial review" of all pertinent material, although a definitive timeline for the review process remains unspecified. Experts anticipate that compiling legal documentation and conducting hearings may extend the process to approximately one year before a resolution is reached.
The ruling has rekindled optimism among Jordan Chiles and her legal representatives. Maurice M. Suh, an attorney advocating for Chiles, expressed that the Swiss court’s decision corrects an error and grants Chiles the opportunity to reclaim the medal she initially earned. He highlighted the existence of "conclusive" video evidence supporting Chiles’ rightful bronze medal placement and reaffirmed their commitment to pursuing all legal avenues necessary to defend her standing.
USA Gymnastics has publicly commended the tribunal for acknowledging deficiencies in the original appeal procedure and for approving a comprehensive review inclusive of all relevant documentation.
Since the incident, Chiles, now 24, has faced a challenging social media atmosphere including racially charged backlash but has continued advancing her career. She resumed collegiate gymnastics competitions at UCLA, ventured into mainstream media by participating in "Dancing With the Stars," appeared in the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue, and has become a face for an athleisure brand alongside notable athletes Serena Williams and Sha’Carri Richardson.