Jordan Chiles has opened up in her first interview since being stripped of her bronze medal from the 2024 Paris Olympics. Speaking on the matter at the 2024 Forbes Power Women's Summit in New York City on Wednesday, September 11, the 23-year-old gymnast shared just how difficult the experience was for her after she had the medal taken away from her in August. That was her only medal, which helped to carry Team USA to securing gold in the team finals.
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Jordan believes her skin color played a big role.
"The biggest thing that was taken from me," she said, pausing as she became emotional, "was that it was the recognition of who I was. Not just my sport, but the person I am. To me, everything that has gone on, it's not about the medal, it's about my skin color, it's about the fact that there were things that have led up to this position of being an athlete."
The experience took her back to a dark place.
"I felt like when I was back in 2018, where I did lose the love of this sport," she said in reference to a coach she had in 2018 who she says "emotionally and verbally abused" her. The experience of being stripped of the medal made her feel similar. "I lost it again. I felt like I was really left in the dark."
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The gymnast felt voiceless.
"I wasn't able to be heard," Jordan said. She went on to speak about the lack of support from people whom she thought should have supported her in the situation.
"It's definitely been hard to really truly see all the love and support," she shared. "At first it was really hard to take all that in because of how badly my heart was broken."
She believes she did everything right.
"I made history and I will always continue to make history, and something that I rightfully did, I followed the rules," Jordan said. "My coach followed the rules. We did everything that was totally, completely right."
Jordan made an Instagram post after having the medal stripped.
"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," she wrote in part. "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 culture and my country."
