American gymnasts Simone Biles and Suni Lee claimed the United States’ two spots in the all-around final with their performances in qualifying on Sunday
Their teammate Jordan Chiles narrowly missed out on a spot after she was edged out by a final uneven bars routine from Lee. Lee needed to record a 14.800 or higher to edge out Chiles for the second spot behind Biles. The reigning Olympic all-around champion succeeded, putting forth an impeccable routine to notch a 14.866 score.
Though Chiles finished third behind Biles and Lee in their subdivision, the rule limiting each country to two athletes will hold her out of the all-around final. U.S. gymnast Jordan Chiles reacts after performing on the beam in women’s qualification during the Paris Olympics on Sunday.
This was an understandably difficult moment for Chiles. And whether she deserves it or not, the 23-year-old gymnast is facing backlash for her less-than-thrilled reaction to Lee’s successful uneven bars routine. Sports reporter Josina Anderson wrote on X:
Others disagree with this take, stating Chiles should be allowed to express her emotions in what’s an exceedingly complicated situation. “Highly disagree. these athletes work their entire lives for one moment. getting beat by only .067 after years and years of blood sweat and tears… it’s disappointing. to be so close … do not shame anyone for how they process decades of dedication to their craft at the moment of their defeat,” another argued.
“I can’t believe you, with such a platform, are trying to draw negative attention to an athlete for having a completely valid emotion. Moments to process missing out on a dream & hundreds of cameras shoved in her face. Your criticism is mean and unhelpful,” another wrote