In a bold move, Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu announced on Tuesday that he will boycott the closing ceremony of the Paris Olympics. This decision comes after a controversial score revision in the gymnastics competition that left Romanian gymnast Ana Barbosu off the podium.
Barbosu initially believed she had secured the bronze medal in the floor exercise at the Bercy Arena in Paris, finishing third in the standings. However, U.S. coaches for Jordan Chiles, who was ranked fifth, appealed for a score revision. The appeal was successful, upgrading Chiles to the bronze medal and displacing Barbosu, who was visibly distraught over the outcome.
Expressing his frustration, Ciolacu took to Facebook, stating, \"I decided not to attend the closing ceremony of the Paris Olympics, following the scandalous situation in the gymnastics, where our athletes were treated in an absolutely dishonourable manner.\" He further criticized the decision, saying, \"It is unacceptable that, in such a great competition that promotes values such as respect, understanding, and excellence, a child who had honestly earned her medal to be brutally deprived of the result of four years of work!\"
The Romanian public and sports community have rallied in support of Barbosu. Former gymnastics legend Nadia Comaneci voiced her dismay on X, writing, \"I can't believe we play with athletes' mental health and emotions like this.\" Comaneci, renowned for her perfect score of 10 at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, emphasized the need for fair treatment and consideration of athletes' well-being.
This incident highlights ongoing debates about judging transparency and athlete support in gymnastics. As the Olympics continue, the international community watches closely, hoping for resolutions that uphold the integrity of the sport and the dignity of its competitors.
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Romanian PM to snub Paris closing ceremony after medal denied
cgtn.com
