American gymnast Jordan Chiles has been stripped of the bronze medal she won in the floor exercise at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled that Chiles’ coach, Cecile Landi, filed an inquiry to have 0.1 added to Chiles’ score outside the 1-minute window allowed by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG).

The decision has sparked outrage and confusion, with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) firmly believing that Chiles rightfully earned the bronze medal. The USOPC has announced that it will appeal the CAS ruling, stating that there were “critical errors” in both the initial scoring by the FIG and the subsequent CAS appeal process.

The rapid turn of events has added another layer of complexity to what has been a difficult few days for all three athletes involved. Romanian gymnast Ana Barbosu, who was initially awarded the bronze medal, has expressed that she has no problem with Chiles and that the issues lie with the judges and their decisions.

The uncertainty surrounding the medal has also tinged what had been a beautiful moment on the medal stand, when Chiles and her teammate Simone Biles knelt to honor Andrade after the Brazilian star won her fourth medal in Paris. This memory now carries a complicated and emotional postscript.

The USOPC has indicated that it may take the appeal to Switzerland’s highest court, the Swiss Tribunal, or the European Court of Human Rights. The outcome of this appeal will have significant implications for Chiles, the sport of gymnastics, and the integrity of the Olympic medal process.

As the gymnastics community and fans await the resolution of this case, it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of fair and transparent scoring systems, as well as the need to protect the mental health and well-being of the athletes who pour their hearts and souls into their performances.