“This statement is a tragedy! ChatGPT would have worked wonders”

Gina Chiles hit out at FIG president Morinari Watanabe for her handling of Jordan Chiles, the athlete who was stripped of her Olympic medal.

Morinari Watanabe, president of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) described the “Barbosu – Chiles” case as a “tragedy that must not be repeated”. Jordan Chiles’ mother reacted on social media calling Watanabe’s statement “a tragedy”.

Gina Chiles rubbishes FIG president Morinari Watanabe’s statement: ‘ChatGPT would have done wonders’

One of the most controversial moments at the Paris Olympics was the “Barbosu – Chiles” case which was finalized in favor of the Romanian Ana Maria Bărbosu, after reaching the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne.

In the floor final, Ana Maria Bărbosu took 3rd place, but after a few minutes the American Jordan Chiles received a correction of her mark, after her team appealed. Later, the TAS decided that the American’s coach filed the appeal a few seconds later than allowed, and thus the mark returned to the original one, with Jordan Chiles finishing in 5th place.

A few weeks later, she also came official reaction of the president of FIG. Morinari Watanabe stated that it is regrettable what happened in this case and such a “tragedy must not be repeated”.

I would like to talk about the tragedy that occurred in the women’s floor exercise final. This tragedy must never happen again! Since becoming FIG President, I have promoted the use of technology in judging. Unfortunately, it came to such a tragedy. The use of technology in sports is now indispensable, and the FIG used to be at the forefront of all international federations when it comes to implementing technology in sports,” wrote Morinari Watanabe, in FIG Bulletin Number 265.

Gina Chiles was irritated by the statement made by the FIG president and gave the first reaction in which she dusts Morinari Watanabe. Her reaction highlights her disappointment not only with the result, but also with the way the FIG leadership communicated its position in her daughter’s case. Watanabe made no mention of Jordan Chiles and further fueled Gina Chiles’ anger.

This statement is a tragedy! ChatGPT would have worked wonders. A way to use the disaster caused by this situation to implement new technologies,” was the harsh reaction of Jordan Chiles’ mother on social media.

This statement is a tragedy. ChatGPT would have done you wonders here . Way to use the devastation this caused as a pitch for new tech. Respectfully READ THE ROOM sir.

— Gina Chiles (@gina_chiles) August 24, 2024

The FIG president supports the adoption of technology in gymnastics to avoid such cases

Morinari Watanabe stated that gymnastics must undergo a change worldwide, he continued to argue that technology has become a part of the sport and that in order to prevent such a situation in the future, the world needs to accept the change.

What can we do to prevent a similar tragedy from happening again? It depends on us, we must have the courage to change”, concluded the FIG president’s statement.