The fight for Jordan Chiles to keep her bronze medal took another sensational turn Wednesday night with the USA Olympic Committee accusing the Court of Arbitration of Sport of making astonishing errors in its handling the case.
The USOPC said CAS emailed the wrong people at the American organization to update them on the steps being taken against Chiles, leaving them with minimal time to act accordingly before it was ruled that Romania’s Ana Barbosu would take the USA gymnast’s bronze.
USOPC said in statement – reported by USA Today – that notices were sent to ‘incorrect email addresses’ and that it took three days for CAS to make contact with Chris McCleary, its general counsel, after Romania made its appeal over Chiles’ score.
‘The USOPC strongly contests the CAS decision due to significant procedural errors. From August 6-9, CAS sent crucial communications to erroneous email addresses at USOPC and USAG, an error not corrected until Aug. 9 – three days after filing, two days past the deadline to submit objections and less than 24 hours before the hearing,’ the statement said.
It adds: ‘This deprived us of adequate time to respond meaningfully or gather necessary evidence. We informed CAS of our objections immediately.
USA Olympic Committee is not giving up the fight for Jordan Chiles to keep her bronze medal
‘Our objections have since been validated by new evidence indicating administrative errors by FIG (The International Gymnastics Federation) and mishandlings by CAS, which would have been impossible to raise at the time of the rushed hearing. In short, we were denied a meaningful opportunity to be heard.
‘Given these circumstances, we are committed to pursuing an appeal to ensure Jordan Chiles receives the recognition she deserves. Our pursuit of truth in this matter remains unwavering.’
Earlier on Wednesday, CAS hit back at suggestions there had been a conflict of interest in the panel that ruled Chiles should lose her bronze.
Hamid G. Gharavi led the panel that decided Chiles should lose her medal at the expense of Romania’s Barbosu but it has since emerged Gharavi has worked with the Romanian government for around 10 years.
CAS said: ‘The court condemns the outrageous statements published in certain US media alleging that the panel, and more particularly its chairman, was biased due to other professional engagements or for reasons of nationality.
‘As none of the parties involved in this case has challenged any panel member during the procedure, it can reasonably be assumed that all parties were satisfied to have their case heard by this panel. Any subsequent criticism is without foundation or merit.’
According to The New York Times, panel members must complete a conflict of interest form before reviewing any case.
The publication said that Gharavi had disclosed his work with the Romanian government. The Times also says Gharavi refused to comment when approached by them.
USA gymnastics said it was ‘devastated’ and has vowed to fight the ruling by appealing to the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland.
It is rare for CAS decisions to be overturned but the manner of the tone from the US Olympic Committee on Wednesday night underlines how strongly they believe that they have a case.
Chiles herself has been silent since the ruling first surfaced on Saturday, aside from posting broken hearts on Instagram and saying that she was taking a break from social media.
She was backed by her gymnastics team though, with Simone Biles the leading name to offer support.
Biles wrote: ‘Sending you so much love Jordan. Keep your chin up Olympic champ! We love you!’
Barbosu, who is set to receive the bronze on Friday in a ceremony in Bucharest, sent Chiles a message on Instagram over the weekend.
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