The Paris Olympic Games were filled with a myriad of glorious diasporic moments of Black Girl Magic.
From boxer Cindy Ngamba becoming the first member of an Olympic refugee team to win a medal and the U.S.’s Gabby Thomas (USA) winning three gold medals in track and field to Saint Lucia’s Julien Alfred winning gold in the 100m, the country’s first Olympic medal, Black Girl Magic was everywhere.
This was especially true in gymnastics, where the return of a healthy Simone Biles helped the U.S. take All-Around team gold.
But the moment that most stood out was the medal ceremony for the floor exercise, where Biles, Jordan Chiles and Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade gave us the first all-Black podium in Olympic gymnastics history.
The decision resulted in an uproar of support for Chiles and criticism for both the CAS and IOC. It has also stained the emotional and joyous moment shared by the three Black competitors on the podium.
Unfortunately, backlash and hate also spread to Chiles, who, in response, has distanced herself from social media to protect her peace.
“I am taking this time and removing myself from social media for my mental health thank you,” posted Chiles.
Chiles, like so many other Black sportswomen, has faced her share of adversity as a result of racism, sexism, and ultimately misogynoir. Moya Bailey (2021) discusses the latter as the specific and unique form of anti-Black misogyny experienced by Blackgirlwomen in social, cultural and digital spaces. Chiles has spoken openly about dealing with racism, and just how close she came to walking away from the sport altogether as a result.
Yet, she persisted and made it to the highest level of competition and won two medals.
Now one is in jeopardy, but the U.S. is not allowing this ruling to go unchallenged.
The USOPC has vowed to appeal the ruling and on Sunday, USA Gymnastics announced that it had submitted video, time-stamped evidence showing the original inquiry made to the Olympic judges was not late, giving Chiles, her family, friends and supporters some hope that she will be allowed to keep her bronze medal.
