After Simone Biles called for “justice” for Jordan Chiles over the Olympic bronze medal mix-up, it seems Biles isn’t hitting the brakes anytime soon. While Jordan’s bronze is on the brink of being returned, Simone keeps racking up the medals. She just grabbed four more at the Paris Olympics, and guess what? She’s added another one to her collection. It looks like all that hard work and a bit of luck are finally paying off. Most recently, MedalCount.com even gave her a shout-out, putting her name right at the top of their list.
Meanwhile, Biles also stands out on a special list of gymnasts who competed in vault finals at both the last Olympics and the previous World Championships, alongside Ellie Black, Rebeca Andrade, and Yeo Seo Jeong. This achievement has not only solidified her status among the all-time greats but also helped her break a 56-year-old record.
Vera Caslavska claimed back-to-back vault titles in Tokyo in 1964 and Mexico City in 1968, with a total of seven Olympic gold medals. Biles, however, has now amassed 11 Olympic medals, surpassing Caslavska’s record and marking a significant milestone in the 56-year span from 1968 to 2024. Yet, amid all this success, Biles shows that true greatness also lies in being a steadfast friend in times of need.
Jordan Chiles fights tooth and nail for bronze, with Simone Biles backing her all the way
Jordan Chiles initially placed fifth in the floor routine final at the Paris Olympics, behind Romania’s Ana Barbosu and Sabrina Maneca-Voinea, who were tied for third with scores of 13.700. Initially, Barbosu secured the bronze medal through a tiebreaker. However, after Chiles’ coach, Cecile Landi, appealed the scoring of Chiles’ routine, it was determined that she hadn’t received full credit for a skill.
This adjustment raised her score from 13.666 to 13.766, pushing her past the Romanian gymnasts into the bronze-medal position. The Romanian Gymnastics Federation then challenged the appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which ruled in their favor, resulting in an order for Chiles to return the medal so it could be awarded to Barbosu.
The situation has since grown more complex. Reports indicate that Voinea may not have gone out of bounds during her routine, meaning her score could have been 13.8 without the deduction, surpassing both Barbosu’s final score and Chiles’ adjusted scores. Despite this, CAS refused to reverse the decision, stating it would overstep its bounds as it involved referee judgment.
In response, USA Gymnastics and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee plan to challenge the CAS ruling, citing procedural errors and video evidence. Chiles has publicly expressed her disappointment, calling the decision “unjust” and a significant blow to her and those who supported her journey.
However, Simone Biles is standing by Jordan Chiles as she fights to keep her bronze medal from the Paris Olympics. Biles has been frequently in touch with Chiles during this challenging time, offering support through FaceTime and texts. Biles, who is a strong advocate for therapy, encouraged Chiles to embrace her emotions, telling her, “You have to feel all these feels. Don’t let these emotions stop you.”
Biles praised Chiles’ talent, highlighting the unfortunate nature of the situation, but remains committed to seeking justice for her friend. As they prepare for the Gold Across America Tour, where both gymnasts will show their skills, Biles continues to uplift Chiles.
