TMZSports.com
Dominique Dawes says the drama surrounding Jordan Chiles‘ bronze medal is “unfortunate” … however she tells TMZ Sports activities she’s certain the saga will showcase the gymnast’s true championship mettle.
The Olympic legend, in fact, is aware of a factor or two about what Chiles is experiencing … as she was as soon as a part of an identical ordeal a pair a long time in the past.
You would possibly recall … on the 2000 Video games in Sydney, she and USA gymnastics positioned fourth within the group competitors — however some 10 years later, the Individuals had been named rightful winners of the bronze medal after officers declared Staff China had an underage competitor.
Dawes clearly discovered quite a bit about herself and her teammates in that state of affairs … and he or she advised us on Tuesday she believes Chiles will come out of this simply superb too.
“This will test her character,” Dawes admitted. “But, it will show us all the champion that she truly is.”
Dominique says she has not spoken to Jordan about all of it — and he or she does not have any plans to for the time being — however she defined that whereas the state of affairs is an emotional rollercoaster, she ought to nonetheless be ok with having an iconic podium second regardless.
“A lot of athletes that are awarded Olympic medals down the road because of a violation or a certain rule that was broken, they didn’t have that Olympic medal ceremony experience,” Dawes mentioned. “She got that experience, and not only did she get the experience, it was an iconic image that was taken from it. It was an all-Black female podium shot that has never occurred before, and may not occur again.”
Chiles nonetheless has an opportunity to regain her medal — USA officers are nonetheless working the appeals course of to attempt to get the ruling modified — however both manner, Dawes made it obvious she’s tremendous pleased with the 23-year-old, with or with out bronze round her neck.
