American Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman expressed her devastation on Monday regarding the controversy surrounding Jordan Chiles' bronze medal during the closing of the Paris Olympics. Chiles, who initially clinched third place in the floor exercise, may have to relinquish her medal due to a dispute over her score of 13.766. The controversy has ignited tensions between the USA and Romanian gymnastics federations.

In an appearance on NBC's "Today" show, Raisman expressed her heartfelt sympathy for Chiles, stating, "This is just so heartbreaking, and I am just so gutted for Jordan. I can't even imagine what this past week has been like for Jordan and the other athletes involved. This is completely devastating." Raisman emphasized the significant dedication that gymnasts pour into their craft, adding, "I don't think people realize these gymnasts work their entire lives for this moment, and it's supposed to be a celebration... I think it's so unfair. It's so cruel. And I don't think Jordan should have to give her medal back."

Raisman, who herself experienced the impact of tiebreaking scores during the 2012 London Olympics, highlighted the importance of trust in the judging process and called for greater transparency moving forward. She also stressed the need for organizations responsible for Olympic gymnastics to prioritize the mental health of athletes, denouncing the act of depriving someone of their hard-earned medal as unfathomable.

The controversy surrounding Chiles' score stemmed from a last-minute inquiry made by the U.S. team, resulting in a score change from 13.666 to 13.766, propelling Chiles from fifth to third place. However, Romanian officials contested the score change, leading the Center of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to rule that Chiles' score should be reverted to 13.666 since the U.S. coaches missed the inquiry deadline by a mere four seconds. Nevertheless, the final ruling will be made by the International Gymnastics Federation.

Despite the IOC's decision to reclaim Chiles' bronze medal, USA Gymnastics has stated that they possess video evidence demonstrating that two inquiries were indeed made within the designated time frame, and they plan to appeal the CAS ruling. The ongoing appeal adds further complexity to the already tense situation.

As the controversy unfolds, Chiles has decided to take a break from social media while the matter is being addressed. Meanwhile, Raisman took to Instagram to express her solidarity with Chiles and Sabrina Mancea-Voinea, one of the Romanian gymnasts involved in the dispute. Raisman shared her personal experience of going through similar challenges and hoped that in the future, all three athletes could stand together on the podium.

The dispute over the bronze medal has not only marred the competitive spirit of the Paris Olympics but has also raised questions about the adherence to regulations and the impact on the mental well-being of the athletes involved. As the gymnastics community awaits the final ruling, the hope remains that fairness and respect for the athletes prevail, allowing the true spirit of Olympism to shine through.