One athlete was all class … another remains bitter.
That is the Olympic washup from the embarrassing conclusion to the individual floor exercise final in Paris.
On Friday Romania’s Ana Barbosu was presented with her controversial bronze medal.
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The drama started when the US team protested the score of their 23-year-old gymnast Jordan Chiles.
Chiles finished fifth in the individual floor exercise final behind two Romanians — Barbosu and Sabrina Maneca-Voinea — but the Americans were successful and Chiles stood on the podium and was presented with her bronze.
But then she was stripped of the medal after the Romanians counter appealed on the basis that the US inquiry missed the one-minute deadline by four seconds.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) then ruled in the Romanians favour but hours later USA Gymnastics launched another unsuccessful bid to win back Chiles’ medal.
It’s an ugly situation but Barbosu was all class when she addressed the issue.
“Thank you to everyone who added a bit of bronze to this medal. Right now I can’t help but think about Sabrina and Jordan as well,” she said at the ceremony (note words have been translated via Google Translate).
“It’s a tough situation for us with so many uncertainties and overwhelming emotions.
“I hope everyone understands that we didn’t do anything wrong at the Olympic Games. And that the Olympic spirit is more important than any misunderstanding between the authorities.
“I want to believe that the day will come when all three of us will receive a bronze medal.”
That seems unlikely but a bitter Giles is reportedly keeping her medal just the same.
Chiles took to social media the day before the presentation and admitted she was devastated when she heard her appeal had failed.
“I will make every effort to ensure justice is done,” she said.
“While celebrating my Olympic accomplishments, I heard the devastating news that my bronze medal had been stripped away.
“I had confidence in the appeal brought by USAG, who gave conclusive evidence that my score followed all the rules. This appeal was unsuccessful.
“I have no words. This decision feels unjust and comes as a significant blow, not just to me, but to everyone who has championed my journey. To add to the heartbreak, the unprompted racially driven attacks on social media are wrong and extremely hurtful.
“I’ve poured my heart and soul into this sport and I am so proud to represent my country.”
Chiles said she would “never waver from my values of competing with integrity, striving for excellence, upholding the values of sportsmanship and the rules that dictate fairness”.
“I am now confronted with one of the most challenging moments of my career,” she said.
“Believe me when I say I had had many. I will approach this challenge as I have others — and I will make every effort to ensure that justice is done. I believe that at the end of this journey, the people in control will do the right thing.”