Romanian gymnast Ana Barbosu has broken her silence on the controversy surrounding the bronze medal in the floor exercise final at the Paris Olympics, blaming officials for the drama and expressing her hope for a shared podium with Jordan Chiles and Sabrina Mancea-Voinea at the next Olympics.
Romanian gymnast Ana Barbosu has spoken out after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) ordered American Jordan Chiles to return her bronze medal, a decision that could potentially award Barbosu the bronze. Barbosu expressed her thoughts and emotions in an Instagram post, blaming officials for the situation and emphasizing the true values of sportsmanship.
In her post, Barbosu sympathizes with both Chiles and Sabrina Mancea-Voinea, another gymnast affected by the controversy, acknowledging their shared experiences and resilience. She goes on to express her heartfelt desire for a shared podium with the two athletes at the next Olympics, highlighting the spirit of Olympism and the significance of respecting regulations.
Ana Barbosu Blames Officials for Medal Controversy, Dreams of Sharing Podium with Jordan Chiles and Sabrina Mancea-Voinea
Barbosu emphasizes that the responsibility for the controversy lies with the officials in charge, rather than the athletes themselves. She condemns the hate directed towards the gymnasts and calls for an end to the attacks. Her message echoes the sentiments of Nadia Comaneci, the legendary Romanian gymnast, who also urged fans to cease their attacks on the young athletes.
The controversy stems from the floor exercise final at the Paris Olympics, where Chiles' score was initially raised but later reverted, leading to her being ranked fifth instead of third. The Center for Arbitration of Sport ruled that the U.S. inquiry into Chiles' score was past the one-minute deadline, resulting in her score reinstatement and a drop in her ranking.
Ana Barbosu Blames Officials for Medal Controversy, Dreams of Sharing Podium with Jordan Chiles and Sabrina Mancea-Voinea
In response, USA Gymnastics has claimed that they have video evidence proving that the inquiry was made within the time frame. Chiles, on the other hand, has remained silent since the CAS ruling. Meanwhile, Mancea-Voinea, Barbosu, and Chiles have all faced online criticism amid the ordeal.
Amidst the controversy, Barbosu's message stands out as a reminder of the true essence of sportsmanship and the importance of respecting regulations. Her vision of a shared podium with Chiles and Mancea-Voinea epitomizes the spirit of camaraderie and the pursuit of excellence that should define athletic competitions.
Ana Barbosu Blames Officials for Medal Controversy, Dreams of Sharing Podium with Jordan Chiles and Sabrina Mancea-Voinea
