Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu has announced he will boycott the closing ceremony of the Paris Olympics following a controversial medal decision involving Romanian gymnast Ana Barbosu. 🏅🚫
After a score revision elevated U.S. gymnast Jordan Chiles from fifth to bronze position in the floor exercise, Barbosu was unexpectedly left off the podium. The decision left Barbosu in tears and sparked outrage among Romanian officials.
\"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,\" Ciolacu posted on Facebook.
\"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!\"
Former Romanian gymnastics icon Nadia Comaneci also voiced her dismay on X (formerly Twitter), stating, \"I can't believe we play with athletes' mental health and emotions like this.\" 😢
The incident has ignited conversations about fairness and mental well-being in competitive sports, emphasizing the importance of transparent judging and athlete support. As Eastern European countries continue to support their athletes, this controversy marks a significant moment in the Olympic narrative.
