Gibson Dunn takes US gymnast Chile's medal fight to Swiss court

Gibson Dunn & Crutcher represents U.S. Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles in her attempt to regain a bronze medal at the 2024 Games in Paris.

Chile's medal was stripped last month by a ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport after the Romanian Gymnastics Federation appealed. Gibson Dunn and Zurich-based firm Homburger AG filed an appeal with the Swiss Federal Court on Monday to overturn the decision.

Chiles is represented by Gibson Dunn partner Maurice Suh, a Los Angeles-based attorney who co-leads the firm's sports law practice, the statement said. He has extensive experience before the Court of Arbitration for Sport, a Switzerland-based body that settles disputes in sports.

Suh represented US cyclist Floyd Landis in his appeal against a positive doping test result that disqualified him from the 2006 Tour de France. He represented sprinter Justin Gatlin before CAS in his appeal against a doping ban in 2008.

According to his law firm biography, he has also advised companies on matters related to Olympic sponsorship.

Chiles originally earned a bronze medal in floor exercise at the Olympic Games in France, where she was part of the gold medal-winning U.S. gymnasts' team, after a coach's interview added points to her score.

The International Court of Arbitration for Sport later ruled that the investigation had been requested four seconds too late. Without the extra points, Chile finished fifth in the competition.

Chiles' lawyers argue in the appeal that the court's decision was flawed, Gibson Dunn said in its brief. The court did not consider video evidence that showed the appraisal request was registered in a timely manner, the firm said.

The appeal also argues that the ruling suffered from a conflict of interest. Hamid Gharavi, the chairman of the arbitration panel that revoked the medal and awarded it to a Romanian, was actively representing Romania at the time of the proceedings, the lawyers said.

Chiles' legal team also plans to file another petition with the Swiss Federal Supreme Court seeking alternative remedies. The appeals could lead to a retrial so that Chiles can prepare a defense and present evidence, the statement said.

“Fair play should be at the forefront of every part of the Olympic Games, including the arbitration process,” Suh said in the statement.