Simone Biles' Netflix documentary footage may hold crucial evidence in Jordan Chiles' medal appeal

Jordan Chiles might owe her Olympic bronze medal to an unlikely source: Simone Biles and her Netflix documentary. Recent court documents have unveiled intriguing footage from Biles' docuseries that could dramatically shift the course of Chiles' appeal. What does this surprising evidence reveal, and how might it impact the final decision on Chiles' medal? Let’s dive into the details.
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Jordan Chiles could owe her Olympic bronze medal to an unexpected source: teammate Simone Biles and her Netflix documentary.
Court documents released on Monday reveal that the crucial footage in Chiles' appeal was supplied by director Katie Walsh and the production company Religion of Sports. They had special access to film in Bercy Arena for Biles’ latest project, "Simone Biles: Rising." With the first two episodes already released before the 2024 Paris Olympics and more to follow later this year, this documentary might just hold the key to Chiles’ medal fate.
The footage could turn out to be the game-changer in Jordan Chiles' battle to keep her bronze medal. It challenges a critical aspect of the Court of Arbitration for Sport's ruling by revealing that Chiles' appeal, or inquiry, was submitted well before the 60-second deadline. This evidence could undermine the court's key factual finding and potentially sway the outcome in her favor.
"Inquiry for Jordan!" Chiles' coach, Cecile Landi, is heard saying on the documentary footage exactly 49 seconds after Chiles' floor exercise score was announced. She also repeats "inquiry for Jordan" and "for Jordan" before the 60-second deadline.
The CAS ruling hinged on the timing of Chiles' inquiry, which initially secured her bronze by placing her ahead of two Romanian gymnasts. Although the inquiry was accepted at the time, the Romanian Gymnastics Federation later contested that it was submitted four seconds past the deadline and should be invalidated. CAS concurred, resulting in a decision that demoted Chiles to fifth place and awarded the bronze medal to Romania's Ana Barbosu.
The day after CAS issued its ruling, USA Gymnastics announced it had obtained new video evidence showing that Chiles' inquiry was submitted on time by Landi, her personal coach and the U.S. team coach in Paris. While the footage was sent to CAS, USA Gymnastics chose not to disclose any details about the video or its source.
CAS rejected the video, ruling it couldn't be submitted post-decision. On Monday, Chiles appealed to the Swiss Federal Tribunal, presenting the new footage and a link to it. Her attorneys argue that CAS made a mistake by not accepting the evidence.
The documents reveal that Chiles' team discovered the footage after Walsh, the docuseries director, sent Landi a condolence message about the situation.
"We aren't letting this go so easily and will keep looking for video and stuff," Landi added. (via: USA Today)
Landi soon realized that Walsh's team might have extra video and audio beyond what NBC and the Olympic Broadcasting Services had released.
Documents reveal that Walsh's team used three cameras and audio from Landi, who was mic'd up for the documentary, at Bercy Arena. Following Landi's request, Walsh shared the footage with her, which was then forwarded to the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, USA Gymnastics, and Chiles' mother, Gina.
"This shows it was done!!" Gina Chiles replied to Landi on Facebook on Aug. 11.
"I keep listening to it. They didn't even try to find the facts!!! This is clear. This shows it was submitted in time."
Walsh and Netflix have not responded to requests for comment. Although the video is a key piece of evidence in Chiles' appeal, the filing also highlights several other errors that challenge the CAS decision.
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