Jordan Chiles’ Olympic journey took a surprising turn in the women’s floor exercise final at the 2024 Olympics.
As the last gymnast to compete on August 5, Chiles knew the scores she needed to secure a medal. Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade led with 14.166 for gold, USA’s Simone Biles followed with 14.133 for silver, and Romania’s Ana Barbosu held bronze with 13.700. After Chiles performed her captivating Beyoncé-inspired routine, she initially received a score of 13.666, seemingly falling short of the podium.
However, Team USA submitted a score inquiry just before the medal ceremony.
An inquiry in gymnastics, as explained by NBC Olympics, is a verbal challenge of a routine’s score, followed by a written submission before the rotation ends. This challenge must be made after the gymnast’s final score is posted and before the next gymnast’s routine concludes. The inquiry can then be reviewed via video.
The inquiry led to Chiles’ score being adjusted to 13.766, earning her the bronze medal and displacing Barbosu from the podium.
Overjoyed by the outcome, Chiles jumped in the air and burst into tears of happiness, joining gold medalist Andrade and silver medalist Biles for the medal ceremony. Meanwhile, Barbosu, who had been celebrating with the Romanian flag, was visibly shocked and tearful as she left Paris’ Bercy Arena.
