After an intense competition, Jordan Chiles experienced a mix of exhaustion and anticipation as she awaited her final score at the Bercy Arena floor exercise final. Little did she know that her journey was far from over.
Chiles' coaches decided to challenge her score, a move that caught the gymnast off guard due to her fatigue. She later revealed, 'I was so tired, I didn’t even realize my coaches were putting in an inquiry and I was like, ‘OK, yeah, let’s see, it can vary.’
The inquiry proved to be a game-changer as it resulted in an additional .1 points being added to Chiles' difficulty score. This adjustment propelled her from fifth place to a remarkable third place, securing a well-deserved bronze medal.
Reflecting on this unexpected turn of events, Chiles expressed her pride and astonishment at the outcome. She shared, 'So, when it came through, I was very proud of myself. You know, it’s my first [individual] event final and my first event medal, like this is crazy. So I was just very proud of myself.'
Chiles' perseverance and dedication shone through as she navigated the challenges of the competition and emerged victorious with a significant achievement. Her story serves as a reminder of the importance of resilience and the impact of meticulous attention to detail in the world of competitive gymnastics.