The decision outraged U.S. Olympic and gymnastics officials, and led to a torrent of online abuse against both Chiles and Ana Barbosu, the Romanian athlete who ended up with the bronze.
Yeah, the judging really messed up any possible fair resolution that could come out of this. I’d hate to be in FIG/IOC’s stead right now. You can’t award 1 bronze because the other side feels cheated, you can’t award 2 bronzes because #4 feels cheated, you can’t award 3 bronzes either because it creates a precedent. I don’t see a solution where at least someone isn’t screwed.
The only way this could seem fair is if they organized a showdown between the three, but sadly the rules don’t allow for that. I’m sure the gymnasts would love that since they all feel icky about it already and it would remove any doubts as to who “deserves” it.
Yeah, the judging really messed up any possible fair resolution that could come out of this. I’d hate to be in FIG/IOC’s stead right now. You can’t award 1 bronze because the other side feels cheated, you can’t award 2 bronzes because #4 feels cheated, you can’t award 3 bronzes either because it creates a precedent. I don’t see a solution where at least someone isn’t screwed.
The only way this could seem fair is if they organized a showdown between the three, but sadly the rules don’t allow for that. I’m sure the gymnasts would love that since they all feel icky about it already and it would remove any doubts as to who “deserves” it.