Romanian Gymnast Ana Barbosu Breaks Silence on IOC Stripping Jordan Chiles of Medal

One might think Romania’s Ana Barbosu would be thrilled with the International Olympic Committee’s decision to strip Jordan Chiles of her bronze medal in the floor exercise final at the 2024 Paris Olympics; however, that’s not exactly the case.

In her first public comments since the decision was announced, Barbosa took to Instagram to share her feelings about the IOC’s controversial decision that ultimately awarded her the bronze medal and moved Sabrina Maneca-Voinea to fourth place and Chiles back to fifth while simultaneously throwing the organization under the bus for how it handled the situation.

“Sabrina, Jordan, my thoughts are with you,” she wrote. “I know what you are feeling because I’ve been through the same. But I know you’ll come back stronger. I hope from deep of my heart that at the next Olympics all three of us will share the same podium. This is my true dream.

“This situation would not have existed if the persons in charge had respected the regulation. We athletes are not to be blamed, and the hate directed to us is painful. I wanted to end this edition of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 in the spirit of Olympism, the true value of the world.”

Chiles’ score was changed from 13.666 to 13.766 after her coaches inquired after the conclusion of her routine. However, the Court of Arbitration for Sports ruled on Saturday that the inquiry was filed in the proper time, resulting in the IOC taking Chiles’ medal from her.

A video clip of Barbosu went viral last week, showing her celebrating with her coaches when she thought she won bronze, only to leave the floor in tears after seeing Chiles had leapfrogged her after her score change.

Barbosu’s bronze medal in the floor exercise is the first Olympic medal of her career.

Related: U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee Fighting to Get Jordan Chiles Her Medal Back

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