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"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," the 23-year-old wrote in an
Instagram post.
"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."
Romanian Barbosu and her team had appealed to CAS that an
inquiry filed over the results of the floor event by the U.S.
team was registered four seconds after the one-minute deadline
allowed by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG).
The success of the appeal meant Chiles' score was reduced and
she fell out of third place behind Brazilian winner Rebeca
Andrade and silver medalist Simone Biles, her American teammate.
USA Gymnastics presented additional video evidence to CAS on
Sunday which it felt proved there had been no procedural error,
but the Lausanne-based legal body said in its published ruling
on Thursday that the breach had been "crystal clear".
CAS also said that it had no power to order that a second bronze
medal be given to Chiles, "as some of the parties have
proposed."
Chiles, who also won team gold with Biles in Paris, said she
would fight on and held out some hope that the authorities would
ultimately relent.
"I am now confronted with one of the most challenging moments of
my career," she added.
"I will approach this challenge as I have others - and I will
make every effort to ensure that justice is done. I believe that
at the end of this journey, the people in control will do the
right thing."
(Reporting by Nick Mulvenney, editing by Shri Navaratnam) [© 2024 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
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