As the controversy surrounding the women’s gymnastics floor final has reignited, beneficiaries of the controversial review are speaking out.
Ana Barbos of Romania, who was named the event’s final bronze medal winner after her challenge against Jordan Chiles of the U.S. team was ruled to have come too late, took to Instagram to express her feelings about the situation.
“Sabrina and Jordan, my thoughts are with you,” said Barbos, 18. wrote in her storySpeaking about her compatriot Sabrina Maneka Boynair, who came fourth, she said: “I know how you feel because I went through the same thing, but I know you will come back stronger. I truly hope that at the next Olympics, all three of us will stand on the same podium. That is my real dream!”
Barbos also tagged Simone Biles in the post.
Not only did Barbos show great sportsmanship and respect, but he also appeared to denounce Olympic officials for overturning his third-place finish.
“This situation would not have happened if those in charge had respected the rules,” Barbos wrote. “We athletes are not to be blamed and the hatred directed towards us is painful. I wanted the Paris 2024 Olympics to end in the spirit of Olympism, a true global value.”
Barbos was initially expected to win the bronze medal in the floor exercise at the final gymnastics meet in Paris on August 5.
But the U.S. team filed an appeal, which was granted, and the 23-year-old American took to the podium with teammate Simone Biles, who both bowed to Brazilian gold medalist Rebecca Andrade, posing for a stunning photograph.
But six days later, the Court of Arbitration for Sport concluded that the U.S. team’s appeal had been filed after the one-minute deadline, effectively invalidating it.
2024 Paris Olympics
At that point, Barbos and teammate Maneka Voinea were tied with 13.700 points, which allowed Barbos to move up one spot and take the bronze medal, while Chiles dropped to fifth place with 13.666 points.
Now the U.S. team is appealing that decision, arguing they have video evidence that they requested an investigation within 47 seconds of the referee’s decision.
At the same time, other international diplomats likely felt a deep sense of satisfaction, particularly Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolak, who boycotted Sunday’s closing ceremony because his country’s gymnasts’ medals had been annulled.
