In a split-second, Romanian Ana Barbosu’s joy turned into anguish at Monday’s Olympics in Paris.
Barbosu initially thought that she had won the bronze medal for women’s floor exercises after Jordan Chiles received an initial score of 13.6666. This would have given Barbosu her first Olympic medal.
She started to celebrate as soon as officials announced that Chiles’ score had changed after an investigation. Chiles’ news core was 13.766, securing her place on the podium.
Barbosu’s shock was evident when she picked up the flag of her country to celebrate. She was in tears when she left the floor.
Nadia Comaneci, a gymnastics legend, criticized the change in score.
The nine-time Olympic medalist said on X: “I cannot believe that we are playing with the mental health and emotions of athletes like this… Let’s protect them.”
I can’t believe we play with athletes mental health and emotions like this… let’s protect them #anabarbosu https://t.co/BX2hipxmM5
— Nadia Comaneci (@nadiacomaneci10) August 5, 2024
Comaneci has won five golds in her Olympic career. At the 1976 Summer Games, she was the first gymnast to ever receive a perfect 10.
Cecile Landi, the coach of Team USA, defended her decision to ask about the score.
Landi explained that at this point they had nothing to lose, so “we’re going to just try” was the response. “I didn’t believe it would happen but I was shocked when I heard her screaming.
Barbosa was 18 years old and this was her first Olympics after starting her senior career. She is a junior champion, having won six golds at the 2020 Junior European Championships.
She won the 2022 and the 2023 Romgym Trophy for the all-around, and the 2023 Romanian Championships for the all-around and uneven bars.
