Jordan Chiles' case is unusual. Most returned Olympic medals are for cheating.
PARIS — Jordan Chiles is a rarity in Olympic history: an athlete forced to return their medal for reasons other than a doping violation.
PARIS — Jordan Chiles is a rarity in Olympic history: an athlete forced to return their medal for reasons other than a doping violation.
The Team USA gymnast originally finished fifth in the floor exercise Monday, but an appeal by her coach saw her upgraded to bronze. On Sunday, the International Olympic Committee said that the appeal shouldn’t have been allowed, meaning she will have to return her third-place prize.
Throughout history, dozens of athletes have been forced to return their accolades, usually because they have failed a doping test after stepping off the podium.
The IOC asks athletes’ sporting committees “for their support in obtaining the return of the medals or diplomas,” the group told NBC News in an email. “In many cases, this request leads to the return of the medals and diplomas. This holds true for medal reallocations of the past as well as recent years.”
Indeed, Jamaican superstar Usain Bolt himself quickly — albeit begrudgingly — returned his 4x100-meter relay gold after teammate Nesta Carter’s doping violation led to the team’s disqualification nine years after the 2008 race.
https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/olympics/jordan-chiles-return-bronze-medal-rcna166151
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