Cecile Landi, the head coach of the US gymnastics team, found herself at the center of a costly mistake that ultimately cost Jordan Chiles and Team USA an Olympic medal. Regarded as one of the best gymnast coaches of all time, Landi’s slip-up during the final moments of the competition proved to be a crucial factor in the team’s disappointment.
According to the official IOC rules, gymnasts are typically allowed 3-4 minutes to appeal for an inquiry regarding their scores. However, the rules change for the last participating athlete, who is only given 1 minute to challenge the judges’ decision. This is where Landi’s miscalculation occurred.
As per the CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport) statement, Chiles was found to be four seconds late in making the inquiry. As an “accredited on-field coach,” Landi was responsible for submitting the inquiry, and it seems she had a slight lapse in timing. As a social media user named ‘Pamchenkova’ pointed out, “For the last gymnast of the final? Max. 1 minute. Jordan’s inquiry was 4 seconds late.”
The consequences of this slip-up were significant. Chiles, who was initially awarded the fourth position, saw her score rise to 13.766 after the inquiry. However, this change in score resulted in Ana Barbosu of Romania losing her third-place position, with a score of 13.700. Unsurprisingly, Romania appealed the decision to the CAS, and after a thorough analysis, the CAS decided to award the bronze medal to Barbosu.
Chiles’ Olympic hopes dashed by miscalculation
The raging controversy surrounding this incident has left many questioning the fairness of the rules and the impact of such tight time constraints on the last participating athlete. It’s a situation that has undoubtedly left a bittersweet taste for Team USA and their fans, as they grapple with the realization that a mere four-second delay could have cost Chiles her chance at an Olympic medal.
“Sending you so much love Jordan,” Simone Biles wrote via Instagram Story on Saturday, August 10. “Keep your chin up, Olympic champ! We love you!“
As the gymnastics community continues to dissect the events and the implications of Landi’s mistake, it’s clear that this incident will leave a lasting impact on the sport and the athletes who dedicate their lives to it. The quest for fairness and transparency in the judging process remains an ongoing challenge, and this case serves as a poignant reminder of the fine line that separates triumph and heartbreak in the world of elite gymnastics.
