Romanian gymnast Ana Barbosu speaks out after IOC orders American Jordan Chiles to return bronze medal
Romanian gymnast Ana Barbosu has broken her silence following the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) decision to order American gymnast Jordan Chiles to return her bronze medal from the floor exercise final at the Paris Olympics.
Barbosu could potentially be awarded the bronze medal amid the controversy that has unfolded. The Center for Arbitration of Sport ruled that the U.S. inquiry into Chiles’ score was past the one-minute deadline, leading to her score being reinstated and dropping her to fifth place in the rankings.
Barbosu’s message, posted on Instagram, expressed solidarity with Chiles and Romanian gymnast Sabrina Mancea-Voinea, who were also affected by the ruling. She placed blame on officials for the drama and expressed hope for a future where all three gymnasts could share the podium.
The situation has sparked backlash online, with all three gymnasts facing criticism. Romanian gymnastics legend Nadia Comaneci has called for an end to the attacks on the athletes, labeling them as unacceptable and cruel.
USA Gymnastics has claimed to have video evidence showing that the inquiry was submitted on time, while Chiles has not made any public comments since the CAS ruling, opting for a social media break.
The controversy surrounding the floor exercise final at the Paris Olympics continues to unfold, with the gymnasts at the center of the dispute facing scrutiny and backlash from fans and critics alike.
