Jordan Chiles says the commission’s call to return his Olympic bronze medal is ‘unfair’ and a ‘significant blow’

American gymnast Jordan Chiles called the arbitration panel’s decision to strip her of her spot in the freestyle at the Paris Olympics “unfair” and a “serious blow” in a message posted on social media Thursday.

The International Olympic Committee, in light of the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s decision, announced that it could award the bronze medal to Ana Barbosu of Romania. Barbosu is scheduled to receive the medal on Friday at a ceremony in Bucharest.

Chiles initially placed fifth in the eight-woman final before Team USA coach Cecile Landi appealed Chiles’ result, requesting that the maneuver be counted, which might have increased her rating by 0.1. The appeal was upheld, moving Chiles to third place. She received bronze and participated in the medal ceremony after the competition.

Romania successfully protested to CAS that Landi’s appeal was not filed inside a minute of Chiles’ result being announced, and the commission ruled Saturday that the bronze must have gone to Barbosu. The International Gymnastics Federation restored the original ending order, and the IOC announced Sunday that it could award the bronze to Barbosu.

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“I am speechless,” Chiles wrote in an Instagram post. “This decision feels unfair and is a major blow not only to me but to everyone who has supported my journey. Worse still, the unjustified racial attacks on social media are wrong and incredibly hurtful. I put my heart and soul into this sport and I am proud to represent my culture and my country.”

USA Gymnastics said it could proceed its efforts to ensure Chiles retains his medal. The sport’s governing body in the United States disputes Romania’s claim that Landi’s appeal got here 4 seconds too late, saying Sunday it had sent video evidence to CAS that showed Landi first appealed 13 seconds before the deadline.

CAS released a detailed account of the way it reached its decision on Wednesday, noting that USA Gymnastics didn’t raise any concerns about the timing system during the hearing — which USA Gymnastics had lower than 24 hours to prepare for due to clerical errors by CAS that sent notifications to the incorrect email address — and that Landi noted that her request to open an investigation was granted “immediately.”

Chiles, 23 — who will return to competition in January when she begins her third yr at UCLA — has also been the subject of attacks on social media, a few of it racist in nature, together with her behavior called “misguided and incredibly hurtful.”

“I now face one of the most difficult moments of my career,” Chiles wrote. “Believe me when I say I have had many. I will approach this challenge as I have approached any other — and I will do my utmost to see that justice is served. I trust that at the end of this journey, those in power will do what is right.”