Simone Biles sent a message of support to Jordan Chiles as she faced being stripped of her Olympic bronze medal.
There's arguably no better feeling than training your entire life to win an Olympic medal, and performing well enough on the day to secure one in the competition.
But then it has to be an all-time low when it's taken back from you.
Advert
Jordan Chiles is in just this predicament.
Despite winning a gold medal for Team USA on the women’s all-around finals, the bronze was the first she had won as an individual.
She originally took bronze in the women's floor final, following an inquiry that allowed for her to shift from fifth to third in the scoring.
Biles took home the silver medal, while Brazil's Rebeca Andrade took the gold.
Advert
However, the Court of Arbitration for Sport later reported that the review was submitted four seconds beyond the one-minute deadline.
On Saturday evening (10 August), the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) decided to amend the final floor results - reinstating Romania's Ana Barbosu in third and knocking Chiles back down to fifth.
Leaving the Paris 2024 Olympics as the most decorated gymnast of all time, Simone Biles posted on Chiles' Instagram story in support.
She said: "Sending you so much love Jordan, keep your chin up Olympic champ! We love you!”
Advert
In a joint statement posted to X, USA Gymnastics and the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee said: "We are devastated by the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling regarding women’s floor exercise.
"The inquiry into the Difficulty Value of Jordan Chiles’ floor exercise routine was filed in good faith and, we believed, in accordance with FIG rules to ensure accurate scoring.
"Throughout the appeal process, Jordan has been subject to consistent, utterly baseless and extremely hurtful attacks on social media.
"No athlete should be subject to such treatment. We condemn the attacks and those who engage, support or instigate them.
Advert
"We commend Jordan for conducting herself with integrity both on and off the competition floor, and we continue to stand by and support her."
Despite becoming an Olympic champion this summer, it is rumoured that Chiles is actually going back to UCLA for another college season.
Top 10 performing Olympic nations
- USA - 126 medals (40 gold)
- China - 91 medals (40 gold)
- Japan - 45 medals (20 gold)
- Australia - 53 medals (18 gold)
- France - 64 medals (16 gold)
- Netherlands - 34 medals (15 gold)
- Great Britain - 65 medals (14 gold)
- South Korea - 32 medals (13 gold)
- Italy - 40 medals (12 gold)
- Germany - 33 medals (12 gold)
Topics: Olympics, Sport, Simone Biles
Mia Williams