In the world of gymnastics, where every point counts and the pressure to perform is immense, controversy is never far behind.
The intense fight for Olympic medals is full of emotions, split-second decisions, and sometimes unexpected results. That was certainly the case in the floor exercise final at the 2024 Olympics, where Team USA gymnast Jordan Chiles found herself at the center of heated debate after the question changed her fate.
What started as a normal competition quickly turned into a conversation about fairness, sportsmanship,p and the very nature of competitive gymnastics. What followed was a mixture of joy, frustration, n and, most importantly, a fierce defense of the athletes’ hard-won achievements.
Cecile Canqueteau-Landi, Jordan Chiles’ coach, took to social media on Tuesday to clarify her actions following the controversy surrounding Chiles’ medal placement. “I shouldn’t have to explain, but I will ONCE,” Canqueteau-Landi wrote. She explained that Chiles’ highest possible score for her floor routine was 5.9, and during the qualifying round and team finals, Chiles received a 5.8. “We didn’t question it because we saw that not all the elements were finished,” Canqueteau-Landi said. However, during the floor final, Canqueteau-Landi felt the routine had improved, and with Chiles in fifth place with nothing to lose, she decided to ask. She admitted she didn’t expect it to be accepted, but was surprised when it was.
Canqueteau-Landi emphasized that she “didn’t steal anything from anybody” and was simply doing her job by advocating for her athlete. She added: “Do I feel bad for the Romanian athlete? Of course, you do! It was heartbreaking to see, but that’s the nature of the sport.
You don’t have to like it, but you have to respect the result—and more importantly, respect Jordan and not tear her down because you disagree.” She went on to proudly state that Chiles “won that bronze medal” and that it was her first individual Olympic medal at the Canqueteau- Landi was extremely proud.
Chiles originally placed fifth in the floor exercise final on Monday, Aug. 5, but Team USA’s request for one of her moves — a claimed full tour jete — was accepted, bumping Chiles up to third. Simone Biles won the silver and Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade secured the gold.
Romanian gymnast Ana Barbosu, who was in third place at the time of questioning, celebrated prematurely with her national flag, only to realize she had missed out on bronze. Barbosa was seen leaving in tears during the broadcast. “Thank you to everyone who supported me before, during,g and after the competition,” Barbosa wrote on her Instagram Story.