Arbitration committee will not reconsider decision on Chiles’ medal

USA Gymnastics representatives have said an arbitration panel will not reconsider its decision to ask gymnast Jordan Chiles to return the bronze medal she won on the floor exercise at the Paris Olympics.

USA Gymnastics said it will continue its efforts to ensure Chiles retains the medal.

“USA Gymnastics was informed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Monday that its rules do not allow for an arbitration award to be reviewed, even if new, conclusive evidence is presented,” USA Gymnastics said in a statement.

“We are deeply disappointed by the notification and will continue to pursue all available avenues and appeals, including through the Swiss Federal Tribunal, to ensure Jordan receives a fair score, placement and medal.”

CAS has overturned a field appeal by Chiles’ coach, in which she was sent to third base. CAS said the appeal was filed four seconds too late because the one-minute time limit for scoring had not been met.

USA Gymnastics disputed the timing, saying in a statement Sunday that the agency had submitted video evidence to CAS showing Team USA coach Cecile Landi first filed an appeal 13 seconds before the deadline.

The dispute over such minor details can lead to a legal battle that could last months or years over the outcomes of the gymnastics competitions.

The International Gymnastics Federation said Saturday night it would respect the court’s decision and elevate Romania’s Ana Barbosu to third place. The International Olympic Committee upheld the ruling Sunday and announced it would re-award the medal.

CAS ruled Saturday that Landi’s investigation to add 0.1 to Chiles’ score fell outside the one-minute window. The CAS ad hoc committee wrote that Landi’s investigation was placed 1 minute and 4 seconds after Chiles’ first score.

The IOC said in a statement that it will contact the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee about returning Chiles’ bronze and will work with the Romanian Olympic Committee to discuss a redistribution ceremony in Barbosu’s honor.

The appeal may be lodged with the Swiss Supreme Court, the Swiss Tribunal or the European Court of Human Rights.

Rebeca Andrade from Brazil won gold and Simone Biles from the USA won silver.