In a recent interview on TODAY, former Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman voiced her deep disappointment and empathy for fellow gymnast Jordan Chiles amidst the controversy surrounding Chiles' bronze medal win in the women's floor exercise final at the Tokyo Olympics. Raisman, who had herself experienced a score inquiry resulting in a bronze medal upgrade at the 2012 Olympics, connected with Chiles' situation and described it as "completely devastating."

Raisman expressed her sympathy for Chiles and the other athletes affected by the ongoing situation, acknowledging the immense dedication and sacrifice that gymnasts put into their lifelong pursuit of Olympic dreams. She emphasized that the Olympics should be a celebratory moment and stated that watching Chiles celebrate her success was one of her favorite moments from the Games. Raisman firmly believed that it was unfair and cruel for Chiles to be stripped of her hard-earned medal.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced on August 11 that they would reallocate Chiles' bronze medal to Romania's Ana Bărbosu based on a recommendation from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to reinstate Chiles' original floor routine score. Raisman was critical of this decision, stating that the IOC has awarded multiple medals in the past and should consider doing so in Chiles' case as well.

Expressing disbelief at the current situation, Raisman highlighted the trust athletes place in the scoring process, expecting it to be fair and well-thought-out. She called for a thorough examination of how such incidents occur and emphasized the need to prevent them from happening in the future. Raisman also stressed the importance of considering the mental well-being of athletes, pointing out how taking away a medal could have a devastating impact on them.

The controversy stemmed from Chiles initially receiving a score of 13.666 for her floor routine, placing her in fifth position. Team USA subsequently submitted an inquiry regarding the judges possibly overlooking a skill, leading to an updated score of 13.766 and securing Chiles the bronze medal. However, the CAS ruled that the inquiry was submitted four seconds past the one-minute deadline, thus nullifying the inquiry and resulting in Chiles losing her medal.

USA Gymnastics has stated that they will appeal the CAS ruling, noting errors in the initial scoring by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) and the subsequent appeal process. Raisman acknowledged that judges are human and mistakes can occur, but she firmly believed that the inquiry was accepted within the designated time frame, making the situation unjust for Chiles.

Chiles, visibly distraught by the turn of events, shared her feelings on social media, posting broken heart emojis and later announcing her decision to take a break from social media for her mental health.

Raisman, who has been in contact with Chiles, praised her resilience and character, expressing her pride and support for the young gymnast. She emphasized the importance of standing with Chiles during this challenging time and called attention to the negative impact of bullying.

In conclusion, Aly Raisman's reaction to the controversy surrounding Jordan Chiles' bronze medal win at the Tokyo Olympics reflects a shared sentiment of disappointment and heartbreak. Raisman calls for a fair and thorough review of the situation while highlighting the need to prioritize athletes' mental well-being. The support from Raisman and others is critical in helping Chiles navigate this challenging period in her gymnastics career.