Aly Raisman Slams “Cruel” Medal Ruling Against Jordan Chiles

Aly Raisman Slams "Cruel" Medal Ruling Against Jordan Chiles

As a seasoned sports enthusiast and someone who has followed the Olympics closely for many years, I must say that this year’s Games have been nothing short of dramatic. The stories of athletes’ hopes being dashed due to technicalities and rule violations, even unintentional ones, are heartbreaking yet inspiring at the same time.


Aly Raisman is leaping to Jordan Chiles’ defense amid the ongoing battle for bronze.

As an ardent fan, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointment when I heard about the decision made by the International Olympics Committee (IOC). They declared that Jordan’s appeal, submitted four seconds beyond the one-minute deadline, meant she had to forfeit her hard-earned bronze medal. This bronze, rightfully hers, was now set to be awarded to Romanian athlete Ana Barbosu. But Olympic champion Aly wasn’t going to let this ruling slide without a fight. She courageously contested the decision.

As a lifestyle expert, I find myself deeply saddened by the recent turn of events. During my latest interview on Today, I expressed my sincere empathy towards Jordan, and those affected athletes. To fathom the emotional turmoil they’ve endured this past week is beyond comprehension for me. This situation is truly heart-wrenching, an utter tragedy that has tainted what was meant to be a joyous moment. The gymnasts dedicate their entire lives in pursuit of these moments, and it’s more than just a celebration – it’s the culmination of years of hard work and determination. I believe many fail to grasp the profound significance this competition holds for them.

She went on to say, “It seems extremely unjust and heartless. In my opinion, Jordan shouldn’t be required to return her medal. Previously, the International Olympic Committee has awarded multiple medals, and I believe they should do so again in this situation.”

Aly also spoke to the root cause of the problem—that Jordan’s initial score was incorrect.

“Indeed, these judges are just like us; they can err. But this error comes at a particularly poignant moment for them. These gymnasts have toiled tirelessly and played by the rules. Unfortunately, a mistake was made in judging. They acknowledged the inquiry, indicating that they perceived it as falling within acceptable margins.”

Aly Raisman Slams "Cruel" Medal Ruling Against Jordan Chiles

The multiple medal winner additionally addressed the predicament that Jordan and Ana find themselves in, particularly concerning the ongoing debate over who will receive the bronze medal.

More recently, following the International Olympic Committee’s decision to take away Jordan’s bronze medal, USA Gymnastics presented fresh evidence indicating that the investigation into Jordan’s score was initiated 47 seconds after her initial score had been announced, well within the allowed one-minute timeframe.

As an ardent fan, I’m utterly staggered by the predicament we find ourselves in. Athletes like us have faith in the system, the rules are our beacon of fairness. But now, it seems there’s a lack of clarity. We need to peel back the layers and comprehend what’s going on, how this could occur, and above all, prevent its recurrence. The governing bodies must prioritize athletes’ mental wellbeing, for this situation is taking a heavy toll. It’s beyond my comprehension.

Aly Raisman Slams "Cruel" Medal Ruling Against Jordan Chiles

Moreover, although I’m not in a position to express Jordan’s feelings, Aly did share some insights about their long-term relationship and also expressed disapproval of any negative reactions directed towards Jordan herself.

Aly stated, “I’ve been friends with Jordan for such a long time, and I couldn’t be more proud of the person she’s become. Throughout these Olympic Games, it’s been amazing to watch her excel. Her popularity and support from others are well-deserved because she truly is an exceptional individual.”

“She added, ‘I can hardly conceive of the struggles she’s facing right now and how tough things are for her. She mentioned stepping away from social media. Unfortunately, she’s enduring harsh bullying, and my sympathies are with her. I stand by her completely, and I’m truly saddened and disheartened that such a thing is happening.'”

For more of the controversial decisions and scandals to come from this year’s Games, keep reading.

Aly Raisman Slams "Cruel" Medal Ruling Against Jordan Chiles

As a lifestyle expert, I’d put it this way: Following my triumph at the U.S. women’s gymnastics individual floor exercise final where I bagged the bronze medal, the Romanian Gymnastics Federation and fellow competitors Ana Maria Barbosu and Sabrina Maneca-Voinea, who ended up in fourth and fifth place respectively, decided to lodge an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

As a committed supporter, I’m sharing the standpoint we took regarding an incident at the competition. We contended that a request made by Chile’s coach, which led to the athlete’s score being incremented by 0.1 of a point, should not have been approved because it was submitted four seconds beyond a one-minute deadline.

As a devoted follower, I’m thrilled to share that my initial score of 13.666 in the U.S. gymnastics event was reinstated by the court’s decision, which was later endorsed by the International Gymnastics Federation. In their official statement, they mentioned adjusting the rankings to position me in third place.

The International Olympic Committee subsequently declared that they would award the bronze medal to Ana Barbosu from Romania. They also mentioned that they were communicating with the Romanian National Olympic Committee about organizing the reallocation ceremony, and with the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee regarding the return of the previously won bronze medal.

The  U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee says it plans to appeal the decision.

Aly Raisman Slams "Cruel" Medal Ruling Against Jordan Chiles

During the opening stages of the 2024 Olympics, Bev Priestman, the head coach of the Canadian women’s soccer team, was dismissed by Canada Soccer following allegations that her staff had been using drones to spy on the New Zealand team prior to their group stage match.

Aly Raisman Slams "Cruel" Medal Ruling Against Jordan Chiles

During the Opening Ceremony on July 26, a mix-up occurred when athletes from South Korea were mistakenly announced as being from North Korea, both in French and English. In reality, South Korea is recognized as the Republic of Korea.

Aly Raisman Slams "Cruel" Medal Ruling Against Jordan Chiles

British sports commentator Bob Ballard was taken off the Eurostar’s Olympics coverage due to his remark being widely criticized as sexist. After Australian swimmers Mollie O’Callaghan, Shayna Jack, Emma McKeon, and Meg Harris won gold in the 4×100-meter freestyle relay, Ballard made an insensitive comment that women were still getting ready or doing their makeup after the race. His co-commentator Lizzie Simmonds quickly responded, “That’s outrageous, Bob! Some men do the same thing as well.” Eurostar then announced on July 29 that Ballard had been removed from further coverage due to his inappropriate comment, which he later apologized for. He expressed regret for any offense caused and stated that he supports women’s sports.

Aly Raisman Slams "Cruel" Medal Ruling Against Jordan Chiles

Refuting suggestions that the shallow depth of the pool inside La Defense Arena could hinder new swimming records, athletes like Regan Smith from Team USA dismissed this claim. Speaking to NBCOlympics.com after setting a new world record in the women’s 4×100-meter medley, Smith stated, “I believe it’s all just a myth.” Initially, there were concerns about the lack of new records due to the pool, which sparked discussions like, ‘Is the pool causing this?’ However, as the competition progressed, athletes grew accustomed to the pool, becoming more comfortable with it and eventually delivering some incredibly fast swims. Walsh, a four-time medalist, added, “The Olympics and its pressure make any pool feel slow because you put so much pressure on yourself when swimming at your maximum.”

Aly Raisman Slams "Cruel" Medal Ruling Against Jordan Chiles

Brazilian swimmer Ana Carolina Vieira has been dismissed from the Olympics, as per the Brazilian Olympic Committee, due to two instances of misconduct. Reportedly, she and her teammate/boyfriend Gabriel Santos left the Olympic Village without permission, following an alleged disrespectful and aggressive response to a decision made by the Brazilian Swimming Team committee regarding the 4x100m freestyle relay. In a video titled “How a miscommunication shattered my Olympic dream,” Vieira expressed her regret but remained hopeful, stating that everything will be resolved at the appropriate time.

Aly Raisman Slams "Cruel" Medal Ruling Against Jordan Chiles

The Paraguayan Olympic Committee asked swimmer Luana Alonso to depart from the Games, claiming she had made an unsuitable environment within Team Paraguay. The committee’s statement added that Luana chose to leave the Athletes’ Village on her own accord. However, it seems that Luana was back in Texas when she posted on Instagram Stories (translated from Spanish) on August 5th, stating that she had not been forced out or expelled from any location and asked people to stop spreading incorrect information.

Aly Raisman Slams "Cruel" Medal Ruling Against Jordan Chiles

Simone Biles and MyKayla Skinner, teammates in Tokyo, had previously expressed their differing opinions regarding the U.S. gymnastics team selected for Paris. Following Skinner’s criticism in a now-deleted video about the talent and work ethic of the team, she later apologized.

Aly Raisman Slams "Cruel" Medal Ruling Against Jordan Chiles

As a longtime gymnastics enthusiast and former competitor myself, I find it fascinating to observe the experiences of today’s elite gymnasts like Simone Biles and Suni Lee. Having competed in my own share of high-pressure situations, I can empathize with their struggles during the Paris event. The unusual quiet environment must have added an extra layer of stress, making it difficult for them to concentrate and perform at their best.

Aly Raisman Slams "Cruel" Medal Ruling Against Jordan Chiles

Initially, it appeared that Jordan Chiles was out of contention for a medal when she concluded her floor exercise final routine with a score of 13.666. Romania’s Ana Barbosu held a lead over her in third place with a score of 13.700.

Aly Raisman Slams "Cruel" Medal Ruling Against Jordan Chiles

The adjustment of medals hasn’t been limited to the gymnastics field.

Aly Raisman Slams "Cruel" Medal Ruling Against Jordan Chiles

1. Tragically, two athletes’ dreams of winning a medal were shattered when they unknowingly breached rules during their swim, only realizing they were disqualified upon completion of their races.

Aly Raisman Slams "Cruel" Medal Ruling Against Jordan Chiles

As a committed follower reporting on the state of the Seine, I have to say that despite a hefty budget of $1.53 billion allocated towards its clean-up prior to the Paris Games, concerns about the river’s safety persisted in the lead-up to the event.

Aly Raisman Slams "Cruel" Medal Ruling Against Jordan Chiles

Australian field hockey player Tom Craig issued a public apology following his arrest for an attempt to purchase cocaine in Paris, just two days after their quarterfinal defeat against the Netherlands.

He expressed his sincere apologies for what transpired during the past 24 hours, stating this at a press conference on August 7th, according to the Australian Associated Press. He clarified that his actions were solely his own and in no way align with the values of his family, teammates, friends, the sport, and the Australian Olympic team. He acknowledged that he has brought shame upon everyone involved, and deeply regrets his actions.

An Australian Olympic Committee representative described Tom as someone who’d acted thoughtlessly but is fundamentally a good person. They expressed their readiness to assist him if necessary. However, they also announced that due to his actions, he would forfeit all the remaining benefits and advantages associated with the Olympics, with immediate effect.

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2024-08-12 17:19