US gymnasts Simone Biles, Suni Lee, and others expressed support for their teammate Jordan Chiles after she lost her bronze medal due to a score reversal. The controversy arose when Chiles' score was initially adjusted, leading to the reallocation of the bronze medal to Romanian gymnast Ana Barbosu.
Lee took to Instagram to voice her disappointment, emphasizing the unfairness of the situation and affirming her unwavering support for Chiles. Biles also shared a heartfelt message, expressing love and encouragement for Chiles during this challenging time.
NBA star LeBron James joined in showing solidarity for Chiles, echoing sentiments of support and recognition for her achievements. Gymnast Jade Carey emphasized that Chiles should not be penalized for the mistakes of others and praised her as an Olympic champion.
The initial confusion arose during the gymnastics floor exercise final at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where Chiles' score adjustment led to her briefly securing the bronze medal. However, following an appeal by the Romanian team, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) reallocated the bronze to Barbosu.
Chiles, in response to the decision, announced a break from social media for her mental well-being. The US Olympic and Paralympic Committee expressed intent to appeal the decision, citing errors in the scoring process and lack of adequate representation during the appeal.
The committee affirmed their commitment to supporting Chiles and ensuring she receives the recognition she deserves as an Olympic champion. They vowed to pursue the appeal diligently to address the discrepancies and resolve the matter fairly.
