Little-known rule that prompted Olympic athlete’s highly controversial reaction after missing out on final competition
As a contender at the Paris Olympics divided opinion after her reaction to missing out on the final, a little-known rule has come to light.
As part of a team of three, Jordan Chiles, 23, was competing for the US gymnastics team, alongside champion gymnasts Simone Biles and Suni Lee.
It all began when Lee took to the mat to beat her teammate and secure her place with Biles in the finals.
Lee had to gain a score of 14.800 or higher to beat Chiles, and she exceeded all expectations.
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The reigning Olympic all-around champion delivered an amazing routine that earned the score of 14.866.
But Chiles finished just .067 points behind her.
Her reaction?
It wasn’t something a lot of people got on board with.
After the results were delivered, Chiles’s reaction to her teammate’s success left a sour taste in viewers’ mouths, but people at home may not know it was due to a specific rule that left the gymnast heartbroken.
Essentially, the rules state that each competing country is limited to two athletes, and since Biles and Lee gained the better scores, Chiles lost her spot at the final.
When Chiles delivered her reaction, which The Athletic described as 'her eyes staring straight ahead and her mouth set in a grim line’, people on social media were quick to have their say.
Some even wondered if she’d congratulate her own teammate on succeeding to the final.
Josina Anderson, a reporter for the NFL, wrote on X: "Suni Lee deserved a better embrace from Jordan Chiles after edging Chiles for All-Around individuals.
"I understand it’s a tough pill to swallow after putting on dynamic performances herself. I also understand that sometimes all of us need more time to process before putting on a face and acknowledging present circumstances.
"Still the camera is on, and she has to maintain her usual grace and well-known charisma wherever her results land in the standings."
One fan also wrote: "Couldn’t help see that Jordan Chiles looked pissed at Suni Lee after their placing in the uneven bars.
"Why is she p***ed at her?? It’s not her fault she scored better! I really don’t like when gymnasts act like that. Ur all in it together!"
Others defended her right to react how she felt fit.
One person wrote: "Highly disagree. these athletes work their entire lives for one moment. Getting beat by only .067 after years and years of blood sweat and tears … it’s disappointing to be so close … do not shame anyone for how they process decades of dedication to their craft at the moment of their defeat."
Another said: "Nah, she deserved to feel exactly how she was feeling. She didn't shun the embrace, but like everyone else she worked for that moment and in that moment she was disappointed.
"She shouldn't have to hide behind a mask because the cameras are in her face."
Lee and Biles will compete together tomorrow on August 1st and according to The Atlantic, Chiles will be in attendance.
Topics: Olympics, News, Sport, Social Media
Britt Jones