shouldn’t have to explain but I will ONCE,” Canqueteau-Landi wrote on Tuesday. “Jordan’s highest possible SV on floor is a 5.9- At quals and team finals she received a 5.8 and we didn’t question it because we saw that not all elements were completed. During floor finals, we thought [it] was better and being placed 5th with nothing to lose, I sent the inquiry so I wouldn’t regret not asking. I didn’t think it would be accepted and at my surprise it was.”
Canqueteau-Landi went on to state that she “didn’t steal anything from anyone,” as she “simply did my job and fought for my athlete.”
She continued: “Do I feel bad for the Romanian athlete? Of course I do! It was so sad and heartbreaking to see but it is the sport! You don’t have to like it but you do have to respect the outcome and more importantly respect Jordan and not drag her down because you disagree. She EARNED that bronze medal, her 1st individual Olympic medal and I couldn’t be more proud and excited!”
Chiles initially placed fifth in the Monday, August 5, floor exercise final before Team USA filed an inquiry about one of her skills, claiming she performed a tour jeté full. Judges ultimately accepted the inquiry, bumping Chiles up from fifth place to third. Biles, 27, earned a silver medal in the event, while Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade took home the gold.
Romanian gymnast Ana Barbosu sat in third as Chiles’ inquiry was being evaluated. She began to celebrate on the floor with her country’s flag before realizing she did not end up winning the bronze. During the broadcast, Barbosu, 18, was seen walking away from the event in tears.
“Thank you to everyone who encouraged me before, during, and after the competition,” Barbosu wrote via her Instagram Story on Monday.