Lausanne, Aug 11 (V7N) — One year has passed since American gymnast Jordan Chiles was stripped of her bronze medal in the floor exercise final at the 2024 Paris Olympics due to a controversial decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Despite widespread backlash and ongoing legal efforts, the status of her medal remains unresolved.

On August 11, 2024, CAS issued a ruling that revised Chiles’ floor routine score following a protest from the French gymnastics federation. The adjustment dropped her from third place to fourth, effectively awarding the bronze to French gymnast Colette Moreau. The ruling immediately triggered outrage from Team USA, athletes, commentators, and fans around the world, with many calling it a miscarriage of justice.

In the aftermath, the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) faced intense scrutiny and responded by updating its protest and scoring review procedures. However, that did little to change the outcome for Chiles, who filed a formal appeal with Switzerland's highest judicial body — the Swiss Federal Tribunal — shortly after the ruling.

Now, exactly one year later, that appeal remains pending. The Swiss Federal Tribunal is the only authority capable of overturning a CAS decision, but such reversals are rare. Legal experts say the court typically intervenes only if there is evidence of procedural misconduct, violation of public policy, or denial of due process.

Chiles’ legal team, backed by the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and several prominent sports law advocates, argues that the CAS panel failed to consider key elements of her performance and relied on an inconsistent interpretation of scoring guidelines. They also allege that Chiles was not given adequate opportunity to defend her score during the arbitration process.

Meanwhile, Chiles has continued training and competing, but has kept a relatively low profile regarding the appeal. In a brief statement earlier this summer, she expressed hope that "truth and fairness will ultimately prevail."

The case has not only spotlighted the legal complexities behind international sports arbitration but also sparked wider debates about transparency and accountability in Olympic judging.

With the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics on the horizon, many in the gymnastics community believe that resolving the Chiles case is essential for restoring trust in the system.

As of now, no timeline has been provided for the Swiss Federal Tribunal’s decision. Until then, Jordan Chiles — and the legacy of her 2024 Olympic performance — remains in legal and emotional limbo.

END/SD/RH/