(Paris) The International Olympic Committee will reallocate the bronze medal in the floor gymnastics event at the Paris Olympics, initially awarded to American Jordan Chiles, to Romanian Ana Barbosu, it announced on Sunday.
“We are in contact with the Romanian National Olympic Committee to discuss the reallocation ceremony, and with the United States regarding the restitution of the bronze medal,” a spokesperson told AFP.
PHOTO GABRIEL BOUYS, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE ARCHIVES
Jordan Chiles
The IOC is drawing conclusions from the decision handed down on Saturday by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which annulled the revaluation of Jordan Chiles’ score on the grounds that his appeal reached the jury four seconds after the regulatory deadline, set at one minute.
Therefore, Ana Barbosu recovers the bronze medal. Initially announced third on Tuesday, the 18-year-old gymnast had even waved the Romanian flag in the Arena Bercy before being relegated to fourth position after Chiles’ protest.
Brazilian gymnast Rebeca Andrade was crowned Olympic floor champion on August 5 ahead of American superstar Simone Biles.
One of the most striking images of the Games shows Biles and Chiles, who thought she would finish third, bowing to a beaming Andrade on the top step of the podium.
PHOTO ABBIE PARR, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Simone Biles (L) and Jordan Chiles (R) bow to winner Rebeca Andrade during the gymnastics floor exercise medal ceremony on August 5.