Featured Image Credit: Getty Images/Ulrik Pedersen/DeFodi Images/Xavier Lane
Topics: News, Simone Biles, Sport, Olympics
Gerrard Kaonga
Topics: News, Simone Biles, Sport, Olympics
As Team USA's Jordan Chiles grapples with the heartbreaking news that she has been stripped of her Olympic medal, her friend and teammate Simone Biles has her back.
While Biles and Chiles dazzled the world with their performance in multiple gymnastic events, one of the best moments was the iconic podium picture the pair took.
If you somehow missed it, it has been called the ultimate display of sportsmanship from the duo.
On August 5, USA's Simone Biles, Jordan Chiles and Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade competed in the women's artistic gymnastics floor final at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
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Chiles took home a bronze medal, Biles silver and Andrade took home gold and the trio warmed the hearts of millions as Chiles and Biles knelt down and turned to face Andrade, placing their hands out in front of them - celebrating not only their medals, but really emphasizing Andrade's achievement too.
Now, however, it's been ruled that bronze medal Chiles was sporting on the podium must be handed back.
Romanian athletes Ana Barbosu and Sabrina Voinea both lost to the American gymnast after Team USA requested an appeal of Chiles' difficulty score.
The judges ultimately changed Chiles' D-score from a 5.8 to a 5.9, which moved her up to the bronze medal positions.
This decision by the judges saw Barbosu lose her medal, which led to the Romanian Olympics and Sports Committee contesting their decision.
Mihai Covaliu, the president of the Romanian Olympic Committee, sent a formal letter of protest to the International Gymnastics Federation.
As Chiles dealt with this controversy, Biles took to Instagram to reiterate her support for her teammate.
“Sending you so much love Jordan,” Biles wrote on her story on August 10.
“Keep your chin up Olympic champ! We love you!”
On her own Instagram, Chiles shared heartbroken emojis on her story.
She followed up by saying: “I am taking this time and removing myself from social media for my mental health.”
It was concluded that the inquiry by Team USA for Chiles' score was made four seconds outside of the one-minute window for appeals to be made.
In a joint statement posted to Twitter, USA Gymnastics and the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee said: "We are devastated by the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling regarding women’s floor exercise.
"The inquiry into the Difficulty Value of Jordan Chiles’ floor exercise routine was filed in good faith and, we believed, in accordance with FIG rules to ensure accurate scoring.
"Throughout the appeal process, Jordan has been subject to consistent, utterly baseless and extremely hurtful attacks on social media.
"No athlete should be subject to such treatment. We condemn the attacks and those who engage, support or instigate them.
"We commend Jordan for conducting herself with integrity both on and off the competition floor, and we continue to stand by and support her."