The ongoing controversy over American gymnast Jordan Chiles’ Olympic floor routine has intensified as the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and USA Gymnastics (USAG) challenge the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s (CAS) decision to award the bronze medal to Romania’s Ana Bărbosu. The dispute, centered around a missed deadline to appeal Chiles’ score, has escalated with claims of procedural errors and miscommunication.

CAS upheld its ruling that Bărbosu rightfully earned the bronze medal, leading the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to request the return of Chiles’ medal. Despite this, USAG asserts that new video evidence shows their appeal was submitted within the required time, contradicting CAS’s findings. The video, unavailable before CAS’s decision, has fueled USAG’s ongoing appeals.

Adding to the controversy, the USOPC and USAG allege that crucial communications from CAS were sent to incorrect email addresses, preventing them from adequately preparing for the hearing. They argue that this procedural mistake deprived them of the opportunity to present their case effectively.

As tensions rise, Chiles expressed her disappointment on social media, calling the decision “unjust” and thanking her supporters for their unwavering encouragement. Meanwhile, Bărbosu was officially awarded the bronze medal in a ceremony in Romania, where she expressed gratitude to her federation and legal team for their persistence.

USAG and the USOPC plan to continue their appeal, including a possible challenge to the Swiss Federal Tribunal. They have also raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest involving the CAS panel chair, Dr. Hamid G. Gharavi, who has previously represented Romania. CAS maintains that no objections were raised at the time of his appointment.

The dispute remains unresolved, with both sides committed to pursuing further legal action.