New developments have affected the appeal concerning Jordan Chiles’ Olympic bronze medal in the Tokyo 2020 scandal, in that it is likely to be determined in a different way than in the past. The American gymnast, a central figure in the Team USA’s podium besting of other countries in the women’s team bronze fight, was prepared to have litigation as regards the scores awarded the athletes during the contest.
Chiles’ appeal, which was lodged to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in December 2021, explains that some circular observations have harmed the scoring process and resulted in Team USA having lower placement in the event, thus making it impossible to win a silver or gold medal. New information from expert evidence and video footage, they argue, has also now confirmed the conflicting judging panel execution scores for her performance on balance beam and uneven bars. They, therefore, conclude that there are profound mistakes in evaluating the performances of the athlete which would strengthen her case.
The appeal has garnered support after other athletes and gymnastics officials shared the same concern regarding the lack of transparency or consistency in the judging system of elite competitions. Chiles, who is now a well-known face in the gymnastics scene, has persisted in seeking justice not only for herself but her teammates and other future gymnasts who may encounter the same problems of erroneous scoring.
If the appeal is allowed, the final results obtained at the Tokyo Olympic Games could be overturned and all medals along with some other honors would presumably need to be redistributed. It is still not clear what the implications would be for the medals. But gymnastics organizations acknowledged that such appeals although is not common, changes in the results according to hiccup evidence provided by scoring errors may be common.
For now, her and her team remain in anticipation of the course of action from the International Gymnastics Federation regarding the recent submission, whose additional document is anticipated to be scrutinized in the following weeks. There are many observers on this progressive case which may change the course of events with sports.
