U.S. gymnast Jordan Chiles has expressed her disappointment and frustration after her bronze medal in the floor exercise event at the Paris Olympics was stripped by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) following a challenge by Romania. Chiles took to Instagram to share her feelings, thanking her supporters for their unwavering support during this difficult time.

In her statement, Chiles expressed her gratitude for the outpouring of love she has received in recent days. She acknowledged her family, teammates, coaches, fans, as well as U.S. Gymnastics (USAG) and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) for standing by her side. While celebrating her achievements at the Olympics, Chiles was devastated to learn that her bronze medal had been taken away.

Chiles had faith in the appeal brought forward by USAG, which presented conclusive evidence demonstrating that her score had followed all the rules. Unfortunately, the appeal was unsuccessful, leaving Chiles at a loss for words. She conveyed her belief that the decision feels unjust, not only affecting her personally but also disappointing those who have supported her throughout her journey.

Despite presenting new evidence, including video footage showing Chiles' coach filing an inquiry about an incorrect score just 47 seconds after it was posted, the CAS announced on Monday that it would not hear Chiles' appeal to retain her bronze medal.

The controversy surrounding Chiles' placement in the individual floor exercise event arose when Chiles initially finished fifth but was later moved up to the bronze medal spot after her coaches appealed the scoring of one of the elements in her routine. This resulted in Chiles surpassing two Romanian gymnasts, including Ana Barbosu, who had already been celebrating her bronze medal.

Jordan Chiles' disappointment and the subsequent backlash against the panel that ruled against her have reignited the conversation around fairness and transparency in gymnastics competitions. The decision to strip Chiles of her hard-earned bronze medal has left many questioning the integrity of the judging process.

US Olympics officials have stated their intention to appeal the decision made by the CAS, highlighting the new evidence that has come to light. It remains to be seen whether the appeal will lead to a reversal of the decision and Chiles' reinstatement as a bronze medalist.

In the meantime, Chiles is determined to remain resilient and will undoubtedly use this setback as fuel for future success in her gymnastics career. Her courage and unwavering spirit in the face of adversity serve as an inspiration to athletes around the world.

The controversy surrounding Jordan Chiles' bronze medal loss highlights the importance of fair and transparent decision-making processes in gymnastics and underscores the emotional toll that such decisions can have on athletes who dedicate their lives to their sport.