Can Netflix footage help Jordan Chiles win back Olympic Bronze?
Jordan Chiles of United States looks at her medal. PHOTO: REUTERS
U.S. gymnast Jordan Chiles is fighting to reclaim her Olympic bronze medal, and video footage from the Netflix docuseries "Simone Biles Rising" could be the key to her case.
Chiles was initially awarded the bronze in the floor exercise at the Paris Olympics, but the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) later ruled that her coach's inquiry about her score was a few seconds late, resulting in the medal being given to Romania's Ana Barbosu.
Chiles' legal team has now appealed to the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland, submitting video evidence that allegedly shows her coach's inquiry was timely. This footage was captured by the Netflix crew filming Biles' Olympic journey.
The video reportedly shows Chiles' coach approaching the judges' table within the allowed time frame and making a verbal objection. This directly contradicts the CAS ruling and could potentially overturn the decision.
Chiles' attorney argues that her "right to be heard" was violated when the CAS refused to consider this video evidence. Additionally, there are allegations of a conflict of interest involving the head of the CAS panel that handled Chiles' case.
The outcome of this appeal remains uncertain, but the potential impact of the Netflix footage is undeniable. If successful, it could not only restore Chiles' bronze medal but also set a precedent for the use of video evidence in future sports disputes.