In the thrilling world of Olympic gymnastics, every score counts, and even the slightest discrepancy can alter a gymnast’s fate. Jordan Chiles, a celebrated figure in the sport, experienced this firsthand. Initially, Chiles’ performance didn’t reflect her true achievement, leading to a moment where it appeared she might miss out on a medal. This article delves into the specifics of why Jordan Chiles’ medal was initially in question and how a crucial intervention changed the outcome, ultimately securing her place on the podium.
The intricate scoring system in gymnastics involves meticulous evaluation by judges, and sometimes, errors can occur in the initial assessment. According to NBC Olympics, the official broadcaster, gymnastics rules allow for a process called an “inquiry” to address scoring concerns. This inquiry is a formal challenge to a routine’s score, initiated verbally and followed by a written submission before the rotation concludes. Crucially, this challenge must be raised after the gymnast’s score is displayed and before the next gymnast completes their routine. For gymnasts performing last in a rotation, the International Gymnastic Federation (FIG) sets a tight one-minute window after the score appears to lodge an inquiry.
In Jordan Chiles’ case, the scoring point of contention revolved around a split leap in her routine, specifically the tour jeté full. NBC gymnastics analyst and Olympian John Roethlisberger highlighted during the broadcast that “In the team qualification, in the team final, she did not get credit for this skill.” This lack of credit in previous performances and the final prompted her coaches, Cecile and Laurent Landi, to take action. Roethlisberger recounted their perspective: “We thought she did it much better here in the final. So we thought we have nothing to lose, let’s put in an inquiry.” Believing Chiles executed the skill correctly in the final, her coaches decided to challenge the initial scoring.
Following the inquiry, judges reviewed Chiles’ routine, and their re-evaluation led to a favorable decision. The inquiry was accepted, and Chiles received a 0.1 credit for the tour jeté full. This adjustment elevated her score to 13.766, propelling her into third place. The outcome was a wave of emotion for Chiles, who was visibly overjoyed and tearful upon seeing the revised results – she had won a bronze medal. This adjustment, however, had a direct impact on another gymnast. A Romanian gymnast, who was already celebrating her performance with her national flag, was subsequently moved off the podium as a result of Chiles’ score correction. This situation underscores the dramatic and often nail-biting nature of Olympic gymnastics, where every fraction of a point can redefine victory and defeat.
