Ana Barbosu's joy turned to anguish at the Paris Olympics after a late score adjustment robbed her of a bronze medal, sparking outrage from gymnastics legend Nadia Comaneci.
Jubilation turned to anguish in a split second for Romanian gymnast Ana Barbosu at the Paris Olympics on Monday.
Barbosu initially believed she had won bronze in the women's floor exercise event after Jordan Chiles received a preliminary score of 13.666. This result would have handed Barbosu her first Olympic medal, a crowning achievement in her illustrious career.
Romanian Gymnast's Olympic Dream Shattered by Controversial Score Change
However, as Barbosu began celebrating her apparent triumph, officials announced a dramatic change in Chiles' score following an inquiry. Chiles' revised score of 13.766 solidified her position on the podium, leaving Barbosu shattered.
The abrupt reversal left Barbosu in a state of disbelief. After donning her country's flag in anticipation of victory, she was compelled to withdraw from the competition in tears.
Romanian Gymnast's Olympic Dream Shattered by Controversial Score Change
The controversial score adjustment has sparked outrage within the gymnastics community. Nine-time Olympic medalist Nadia Comaneci took to social media to denounce the decision, slamming its detrimental impact on athletes' mental well-being.
"I can't believe we play with athletes' mental health and emotions like this... let's protect them," Comaneci wrote.
Romanian Gymnast's Olympic Dream Shattered by Controversial Score Change
Team USA coach Cecile Landi defended the decision to question the score, stating that it was a calculated attempt to secure a higher position for Chiles.
"At this point, we had nothing to lose, so I was like, 'We're just going to try,'" Landi said. "I honestly didn't think it was going to happen, but when I heard her scream, I turned around and was like, 'What?'"
Barbosu's Olympic journey represents a remarkable trajectory in her young career. The 18-year-old Romanian made her senior debut in 2023 and has since established herself as a formidable force in the sport.
Prior to her Olympic heartbreak, Barbosu boasted an impressive record, capturing six gold medals at the 2020 Junior European Championships. She also achieved all-around victories at the 2022 and 2023 Romgym Trophy, as well as the Romanian Championships in 2023.
The incident at the Paris Olympics has raised questions about the fairness of the scoring system in gymnastics. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
