In the Case of Jordan Chiles, IOC Has the Precedent for Awarding Two Bronze Medals
By taking away Jordan Chiles’ bronze medal, the IOC is not adhering to its own established precedent.
Editor’s note: USA Gymnastics announced on Monday that its attempt to have gymnast Jordan Chiles’ bronze medal in the floor exercise reinstated has been rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
PARIS — The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is deviating from its own precedent by taking away Jordan Chiles’ bronze medal, especially when considering one of the most well-known controversies regarding dual medals in Olympic history.
In the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics, often referred to as the French judge scandal, the IOC awarded two gold medals — one to Canada and one to Russia — instead of retracting the gold medal from the Russian pairs team nearly a week after their initial award, which would have been appropriate.
During that time, the intriguing figure skating storyline captured worldwide interest, overshadowing almost every other event at the Olympics. Consequently, the IOC and the International Skating Union sought a rapid resolution that would satisfy as many stakeholders as possible, culminating in a dual gold medal ceremony held six days after the first, right there on the ice at the venue.
An inquiry sent via email to IOC spokesperson Mark Adams regarding why they aren’t applying the same approach to the gymnastics issue has gone unanswered for two days.
At the 2002 Winter Games, Russians Elena Berezhnaya and Anton Sikharulidze were awarded the gold medal on February 11, despite making a mistake in their long performance, unlike the Canadians, Jamie Sale and David Pelletier, who completed their performance flawlessly.
The following day, the International Skating Union decided to launch an investigation, resulting in the suspensions of both Le Gougne and Didier Gailhaguet, the president of the French skating federation.
The joint medal ceremony, featuring all four skaters on the podium, took place on February 17.