Jordan Chiles’ Coach Fires Back Amid Bronze Medal Drama

While Jordan Chiles took home the bronze medal in the final Women's Gymnastics Olympics event on Monday, August 5, controversy has ignited as she initially finished fifth in the floor exercise final.

But after Team USA filed an inquiry questioning the scoring of one of her skills, specifically a tour jeté full, the judges reviewed the performance. The inquiry was accepted, and Chiles was subsequently bumped to third place. Simone Biles secured the silver medal in the event, while Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade claimed the gold.

Romanian gymnast Ana Barbosu, who was in third place while Chiles' inquiry was under review, began celebrating with her country’s flag on the floor. However, she soon realized that she had not won the bronze after all. The 18-year-old was visibly emotional and was seen leaving the event in tears during the broadcast.

After the event went viral, many have weighed in on the situation, with some criticizing Jordan Chiles and her team for "taking the medal away" from Ana Barbosu.

Team USA women’s gymnastics coach Cecile Canqueteau-Landi has had enough. In a Tuesday, August 6 Instagram post, Canqueteau-Landi congratulated Jordan Chiles and Simone Biles on their Olympic victories, but the comments soon exploded, bashing the team for their inquiry request.

Canqueteau-Landi then took to the comments section herself, where she addressed a user who accused her and her fellow coaches of cheating to secure Chiles' bronze medal in the floor exercise final.

“I shouldn’t have to explain but I will ONCE,” she began. “Jordan’s highest possible SV on floor is a 5.9- At quals and team finals she received a 5.8 and we didn’t question it because we saw that not all elements were completed."

"During floor finals, we thought [it] was better and being placed 5th with nothing to lose, I sent the inquiry so I wouldn’t regret not asking," she continued to explain. "I didn’t think it would be accepted and at my surprise it was.”

Canqueteau-Landi stood up for Chiles and herself, telling the social media users that she “didn’t steal anything from anyone,” as she “simply did my job and fought for my athlete.”

“Do I feel bad for the Romanian athlete? Of course I do! It was so sad and heartbreaking to see but it is the sport!" she continued. "You don’t have to like it but you do have to respect the outcome and more importantly respect Jordan and not drag her down because you disagree. She EARNED that bronze medal, her 1st individual Olympic medal and I couldn’t be more proud and excited!”

In a post-event interview with NBC Sports’ Zora Stephenson, Jordan Chiles discussed the unexpected and emotional turn of events.

“This is just a dream come true. It’s my first time ever in an event final. Like we said, it was a redemption tour, and I just wanted to come out and do the best that I could,” Chiles said, per the 'TODAY" show. “So this medal means everything. First event final, first event medal, like, oh my gosh! I’m very proud of myself.”

During Monday’s competition, Team Romania also submitted an inquiry regarding Sabrina Maneca-Voinea’s performance, but her score remained unchanged.

In response, Mihai Covaliu, president of the Romanian Olympic and Sports Committee, posted a letter of protest on Facebook, requesting a reevaluation of Maneca-Voinea’s score. The post also disclosed that the 17-year-old gymnast has made a “public declaration to give up practicing this sport” following the loss.

“The way of appreciating the score given and the refusal to present the reasons/evidence to reject the objection submitted within the period provided for by the regulation seriously damages both the image of international gymnastics, but especially affects the athlete, endangering his mental health,” Covaliu wrote.

Marcel Ciolacu, Romanian Prime Minister, later announced he would be protesting as he made the decision to skip the Paris Olympics closing ceremony.

“I decided not to attend the closing ceremony of the Paris Olympics, following the scandalous situation in the gymnastics, where our athletes were treated in an absolutely dishonorable manner,” he wrote on Facebook. “To withdraw a medal earned for honest work on the basis of an appeal, which neither the coaches nor the top technicians understand, is totally unacceptable!”