Why Jordan Chiles’ Bronze Medal Backlash Is Unfair

Like her peers, Chiles had past racist encounters that led her to almost quit gymnastics. Since the CAS ruling and controversy over her medal, the 23-year-old announced on her Instagram story that she was taking a break from social media to focus on her mental health. The athlete’s sister, Jazmin Chiles, shared her reaction online with a series of posts on her Instagram stories. “Racism is real, it exists, it is alive and well,” one of the posts read. “They have officially, 5 days later, stripped her of one of her medals. Not because she didn’t win, not because she was drugged, not because she stepped out of bounds, not because she wasn’t good enough.”