Jordan Chiles’ Olympic Bronze: Her Jaw-Dropping Score Change Explained

Jordan Chiles' Olympic Bronze: Her Jaw-Dropping Score Change Explained

As a lifestyle expert with extensive experience in sports and gymnastics, I find Jordan Chiles‘ journey at the 2024 Olympics nothing short of inspiring. Her resilience, determination, and sheer grit are truly commendable.


It was the call that flipped the script on the women’s floor exercise final at the 2024 Olympics.

In the August 5th competition, Jordan Chiles, being the final gymnast to perform, understood the required score for a medal chance. Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade was poised to claim gold with a score of 14.166, followed by USA’s Simone Biles with 14.133 and Romania’s Ana Barbosu with the bronze at 13.700. However, after Chiles delivered her Beyoncé-inspired performance, it appeared that she had fallen short as the judges awarded her a score of 13.666.

Then, shortly before the medal ceremony, Team USA submitted a score inquiry about her routine.

In simpler terms, a gymnastics inquiry is when someone questions or challenges the score given to a gymnast’s performance. This challenge is first made verbally, followed by a written submission before the end of that gymnast’s rotation. The inquiry can only be initiated after the final score for that gymnast has been posted, and before the next gymnast begins their routine. If approved, the video footage of the performance can be reviewed to further evaluate the score.

It’s clear that Chiles is thrilled because her score was adjusted to 13.766, securing her the bronze medal and pushing Barbosu off the podium. As for Chiles, she leaped with joy, shouted with excitement over her new total, shed tears of happiness, and joined Andrade and Biles in collecting their medals. On the other hand, Barbosu had been waving the Romanian flag in anticipation of her third-place win but was left stunned when she lost that spot. She was later seen crying as she departed from Paris’ Bercy Arena.

Jordan Chiles' Olympic Bronze: Her Jaw-Dropping Score Change Explained

“What exactly was at issue with Chiles’ routine scoring? Well, it appears that John Roethlisberger, our Olympic and NBC gymnastics analyst, explains that the skill in question is a ‘tour jeté full.’ During the team qualification and final, she didn’t receive credit for this skill. The issue was that she should have completed a full twist all the way around, finishing facing the opposite direction. In the initial assessment of the skill, it seems the judges failed to give her credit for that.”

I had a conversation with Cecile and Laurent Landi, her coaches, and they shared their insights. They expressed that she performed significantly better in the final, leading them to believe there was no harm in submitting an inquiry. The judges ultimately agreed, awarding her the additional one-tenth of a point, which was the deciding factor in the medal placement.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d like to share some insights about the recent change in Jordan Chiles’ score during her performance. If you found yourself puzzled by how her score shifted from 13.666 to 13.766, let two-time Olympic medalist and NBC Sports analyst Laurie Hernandez guide you through the calculations.

Jordan Chiles' Olympic Bronze: Her Jaw-Dropping Score Change Explained

During the broadcast, Olympic medalist and NBC commentator Justin Spring explained that such a score change isn’t as unusual as fans might believe. He pointed out that similar occurrences are frequent in sports, with the help of video reviews to ensure accuracy.

Spring admitted it was regrettable that the judges made an error initially. However, he added, a positive outcome transpired as we ended up with two American athletes standing on the podium in the end.

As a retired gymnast with over two decades of competitive experience under my belt, I can truly appreciate what it means for Chiles to have just won her first-ever individual medal. Having stood on that podium myself, I know how incredibly rewarding and validating it feels. Winning the gold with her team last week in Paris and the silver with them at the 2020 Tokyo Games must have been an unforgettable experience for her. Losing one’s voice from sheer excitement is a testament to the passion and dedication that athletes like Chiles possess. Despite being unable to speak, she was still able to articulate what went through her mind after the U.S. team submitted the score inquiry. It speaks volumes about her mental fortitude and determination. I can only imagine the emotions that must have been running through her as she waited for the final results – a mix of anticipation, anxiety, and pure exhilaration. Chiles’ journey to this point has not been easy, but her hard work and perseverance have paid off in a big way. I am thrilled to see such an accomplished gymnast like her finally being recognized for her individual talent. Congratulations, Chiles! You are an inspiration to all of us who have ever dreamed of standing on that podium.

The 23-year-old told NBC, “They informed me about their actions, and my response was something like, ‘Alright, we’ll see what unfolds.’ Since the outcome could have been positive or negative, I was eagerly watching the screen. Upon seeing it, I started jumping up and down. They asked, ‘What happened?’ To which I responded by showing them. Honestly, I didn’t anticipate this at all. I’m just proud of my accomplishment.”

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2024-08-06 00:51