The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) will not revisit a ruling that cost US gymnast Jordan Chiles an Olympic bronze medal in floor exercise, despite new evidence presented by USA Gymnastics.
Chiles had initially secured the bronze after a challenge by Team USA regarding the difficulty of her routine was accepted, denying Romanian gymnast Ana Barbosu the medal.However, CAS rescinded the re-evaluation, stating that Team USA’s appeal was lodged four seconds past the deadline, resulting in the International Olympic Committee awarding the medal to Barbosu.
The matter became contentious on Sunday when USA Gymnastics submitted a letter and video evidence to CAS. The video showed that team coach Cecile Landi’s request to file an inquiry was submitted 47 seconds after the score was posted, adhering to the one-minute deadline set by the International Gymnastics Federation. Additionally, Landi filed a second statement 55 seconds after the initial score posting.
USA Gymnastics noted that the video footage used to support their claim was not available at the time of the initial CAS decision, thereby preventing them from submitting it during the original hearing.
USA Gymnastics made an attempt to have CAS reconsider the decision, citing new video evidence proving that the appeal was made within the required timeframe. AFP reported that, on Monday, CAS denied this request.
“USA Gymnastics was notified by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Monday that their rules do not allow for an arbitral award to be reconsidered even when conclusive new evidence is presented,” the CAS statement read.
This decision has prompted USA Gymnastics to explore further avenues to resolve the dispute favorably for Chiles, including potentially appealing to the Swiss Federal Tribunal.
“We are deeply disappointed by the notification and will continue to pursue every possible avenue and appeal process, including to the Swiss Federal Tribunal, to ensure the just scoring, placement, and medal award for Jordan,” stated USA Gymnastics.
Chiles had initially secured the bronze after a challenge by Team USA regarding the difficulty of her routine was accepted, denying Romanian gymnast Ana Barbosu the medal.However, CAS rescinded the re-evaluation, stating that Team USA’s appeal was lodged four seconds past the deadline, resulting in the International Olympic Committee awarding the medal to Barbosu.
The matter became contentious on Sunday when USA Gymnastics submitted a letter and video evidence to CAS. The video showed that team coach Cecile Landi’s request to file an inquiry was submitted 47 seconds after the score was posted, adhering to the one-minute deadline set by the International Gymnastics Federation. Additionally, Landi filed a second statement 55 seconds after the initial score posting.
USA Gymnastics noted that the video footage used to support their claim was not available at the time of the initial CAS decision, thereby preventing them from submitting it during the original hearing.
USA Gymnastics made an attempt to have CAS reconsider the decision, citing new video evidence proving that the appeal was made within the required timeframe. AFP reported that, on Monday, CAS denied this request.
“USA Gymnastics was notified by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Monday that their rules do not allow for an arbitral award to be reconsidered even when conclusive new evidence is presented,” the CAS statement read.
This decision has prompted USA Gymnastics to explore further avenues to resolve the dispute favorably for Chiles, including potentially appealing to the Swiss Federal Tribunal.
“We are deeply disappointed by the notification and will continue to pursue every possible avenue and appeal process, including to the Swiss Federal Tribunal, to ensure the just scoring, placement, and medal award for Jordan,” stated USA Gymnastics.
