Jordan Chiles isn’t the only gymnast still fighting for a bronze medal from the floor exercise final at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Sabrina Maneca-Voinea and the Romanian Gymnastics Federation have taken their case to the Swiss Federal Tribunal, the federation announced on Monday. They are challenging a recent decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), who rejected Voinea’s claim that she was unjustly penalized by 0.10 points for an alleged out-of-bounds step during the floor final.
Voinea’s appeal adds another layer to a complicated saga that has garnered international attention, especially after Chiles lost her bronze medal on the last day of the Paris Olympics despite no wrongdoing on her part. USA Gymnastics and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee are also planning an appeal to the Swiss Federal Tribunal, citing procedural errors by CAS and video evidence countering the basis for CAS’ decision.
In the August 5th floor final, Chiles initially placed fifth with a score of 13.666, trailing behind Ana Barbosu and Voinea. Both Romanians scored 13.7, but Barbosu was given an edge with a higher execution score. Cecile Landi, Chiles’ personal and national team coach, contended that Chiles was not credited appropriately for a tour jete leap. An appeal panel sided with Landi, adding 0.100 points to Chiles’ score, which moved her to third place ahead of both Romanians.
Romania quickly appealed to CAS on August 6, questioning the timing of Chiles’ appeal. On August 10, CAS ruled that Chiles’ appeal was filed four seconds late and instructed the International Gymnastics Federation to revise the standings.
The next day, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) decided to reassign Chiles’ bronze medal, making Barbosu the new bronze medalist. Although USA Gymnastics claimed they had video evidence showing Landi’s appeal was timely, the IOC deemed the case resolved and Barbosu received her medal on August 9.
From Voinea and Romania’s perspective, this entire controversy might have been avoided if Voinea had not been penalized for an out-of-bounds step, a penalty that video replays indicate was not justified. Without the 0.10 deduction, Voinea’s score would have been 13.8, placing her ahead of Chiles’ original and adjusted scores, as well as ahead of Barbosu.
Voinea and Romania appealed her score to CAS, but the tribunal rejected the appeal, classifying it as a
