Gymnast Jordan Chiles will never forget the emotional rollercoaster of winning bronze in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
A Rollercoaster of Emotions
During an interview on Today on August 8, 2024, Chiles, 23, shared the whirlwind of emotions she experienced after her floor exercise final. “Honestly, there were so many emotions going through my body in that moment,” Chiles said. “There were a lot of things happening, from me not being on the podium to me being on the podium. I think the biggest thing is just always understanding not to doubt yourself and just to let everything ride out how it’s supposed to be.”
Chiles initially placed fifth in the floor exercise final on August 5, 2024, but after Team USA filed an inquiry about one of her skills, the judges agreed, and she was moved up to third place, securing her a bronze medal.
Emotional Moments and Support System
Chiles recalled the overwhelming emotions that came with the moment: “Everybody was crying. Those were true emotions.” She went on to acknowledge the importance of her support system, including her close bond with fellow gymnast Simone Biles. “Simone [Biles] is like a big sister to me, [my coach] Cécile [Canqueteau-Landi] is like another mom,” Chiles added. “That was definitely a great moment to have. Simone has done so much for me, and I feel like, in that moment, I realized that.”
Controversy and Sportsmanship
After Chiles was awarded the bronze medal, Romanian gymnast Ana Barbosu, who had originally finished in third place, was seen celebrating before realizing the results had been altered. Barbosu later took to Instagram to express gratitude for her supporters, but also shared her disappointment. “Thank you to everyone who encouraged me before, during, and after the competition,” she wrote.
Although Barbosu’s team attempted to appeal the result, Chiles’ coach, Cécile Canqueteau-Landi, defended Chiles, shutting down a user who speculated about cheating. Canqueteau-Landi explained that the inquiry was made out of a genuine belief that Chiles had performed better than her initial score reflected. “I didn’t steal anything from anyone,” Canqueteau-Landi wrote on Instagram. “I simply did my job and fought for my athlete.”
Celebrating Chiles’ Achievement
Despite the controversy, Canqueteau-Landi expressed pride in Chiles’ hard-earned victory. “She earned that bronze medal, her 1st individual Olympic medal, and I couldn’t be more proud and excited!”
As Chiles and Team USA continue to make history in the 2024 Paris Olympics, Chiles’ bronze medal represents not only her personal triumph but also the power of perseverance, support, and fighting for what’s rightfully earned.