The Romanian Gymnastics Federation has suggested that distraught American Jordan Chiles could share a bronze medal with Ana Barbosu and Sabrina Maneca-Voinea, amid the ongoing dispute over third place in the Olympic floor exercise.
Chiles initially finished fifth in the floor final, but the United States appealed the decision and her score was increased to move her into third place, ahead of Romanian athletes Barbosu and Maneca-Voinea, respectively.
However, a few days later, the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled in a shocking decision that the jury had wrongly allowed Chiles’ score to be increased because the appeal fell outside the one-minute time limit allowed by the International Gymnastics Federation.
On Monday, the Romanian Gymnastics Federation proposed that all three gymnasts receive a medal after Chiles was forced to relinquish the bronze she brought back to the United States.
“The initiative to award bronze medals to all three athletes, Jordan Chiles, Ana-Maria Barbosu and Sabrina Maneca-Voinea, was proposed by the lawyers of the Romanian Gymnastics Federation, with the prior approval of the Federation,” the Federal Republic of Germany said in a statement.
Romanian gymnastics officials have released a statement regarding Jordan Chiles’ bronze medal haul
The federation proposed that she share a medal with Ana Barbosu and Sabrina Maneca-Voinea
“The leadership of the Romanian Gymnastics Federation (FRG), through its representatives, has taken all necessary steps to reach this consensus. We emphasize that certain requests have been made by the American side to achieve this goal, and our side has consistently complied with these requests, a fact that was appreciated by the American representative,” they continued.
The Federal Republic of Germany stressed that it wanted to resolve the ongoing conflict “in a manner that shows respect and appreciation for the athletes involved.”
‘We hereby call on the entire gymnastics community, both in the country and abroad, to put an end to the attacks on gymnasts Jordan Chiles, Ana-Maria Barbosu and Sabrina Maneca-Voinea.’
This follows news that the Centre for Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has refused to hear new video evidence from the US which allegedly showed that the appeal to re-evaluate Chiles’ score was filed in less than 60 seconds.
Barbosu is expected to receive the bronze he won from Chiles in Romania this week
Chiles posted two statements on social media regarding the loss of her bronze medal
USA Turning has since indicated that it will appeal the ruling to the Swiss Federal Supreme Court. However, it is rare for the CAS decision to be overturned.
Barbosu, who reached out to Chiles on social media, will collect her bronze in Bucharest on Friday. A ceremony is planned for the 20-year-old, attended by the IOC.
Following the tragedy, 23-year-old Chiles posted four broken heart emojis on Instagram and said she was taking a break from social media, while her sister claimed racism played a role in her decision.
Barbosu expressed sympathy toward Chiles in a statement on social media.
Sabrina [Maneca-Voinea]Jordan, my thoughts are with you. I know what you are feeling because I have been through the same thing,” she wrote in a post over the weekend.
Barbosu said she hopes to be on the podium next to Chiles at the next Olympics
Meanwhile, USA Gymnastics continues to fight for Chiles to retain her bronze medal
“But I know you will come back stronger. I hope from the bottom of my heart that at the next Olympic Games we will share all three [the] the same stage. That is my true dream,’ she continued.
“This situation would not have existed if those responsible had respected the regulations. We, athletes, are not to blame and the hatred directed at us is painful.
‘I wanted to end this edition of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in the spirit of Olympism, the true value of the world.’
Chiles also received a message of support from her U.S. teammate Simone Biles, who said Saturday: “Sending you lots of love Jordan. Keep your chin up, Olympic champion! We love you!”