Current:Home > MyRomanian gymnast Ana Bărbosu gets Olympic medal amid Jordan Chiles controversy -RiskWatch
Romanian gymnast Ana Bărbosu gets Olympic medal amid Jordan Chiles controversy
View
Date:2025-04-17 05:19:02
Romanian gymnast Ana Bărbosu addressed Jordan Chiles as she received her Olympic bronze medal for the floor exercise on Friday amid an ongoing scoring controversy that could see Chiles lose the bronze medal she was initially awarded.
The official medal ceremony in Bucharest, Romania, came just one day after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) gave the go-ahead to Romanian officials. Bărbosu offered words of encouragement to Chiles and Romanian teammate Sabrina Voinea at the event.
“I can't help but think about Sabrina and Jordan right now,” Bărbosu said in Romanian. “It's a difficult situation for us, with so many uncertainties and overwhelming emotions. I hope everyone understands that we have not done anything wrong at the Olympics. And that the Olympic spirit is more important than any misunderstanding between the authorities.”
“I want to believe that the day will come when all three of us will receive a bronze medal,” she added.
Bărbosu and Voinea received the same score for their routines, but Bărbosu won the tiebreaker with a higher execution score.
2024 Paris Olympics: Follow USA TODAY’s coverage of the biggest names and stories of the Games.
Chiles was originally awarded the bronze medal in Paris ahead of the two Romanians after her coach, Cecile Landi, submitted an inquiry that increased her difficulty score. The Court of Arbitration for Sport later overturned this inquiry due to an alleged time violation, which dropped Chiles’ score to fifth place — behind the Romanians. U.S. officials dispute the alleged time violation.
Bărbosu received her medal — different from the one Chiles is reportedly still in possession of — from IOC member Octavian Morariu and Mihai Covaliu, president of the Romanian Olympic and Sports Committee. Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu was also in attendance.
"I did not realize how heavy it is," Bărbosu told the audience at the ceremony. "I am glad to be in possession of this medal and I hope to continue to represent Romania at the highest level."
Chiles broke her silence on the controversy Thursday, posting a statement to social media saying the decision "feels unjust" and that she has been subject to "racially driven attacks" online.
“I will approach this challenge as I have others — and will make every effort to ensure that justice is done,” Chiles wrote. “I believe that at the end of this journey, the people in control will do the right thing.”
Contributing: Reuters
veryGood! (64342)
Related
- Paige Bueckers vs. Hannah Hidalgo highlights women's basketball games to watch
- MLB power rankings: Orioles in rare air, knocking Rays out of AL East lead for first time
- Recovery high schools help kids heal from an addiction and build a future
- Check Out the Most Surprising Celeb Transformations of the Week
- Google unveils a quantum chip. Could it help unlock the universe's deepest secrets?
- Recovery high schools help kids heal from an addiction and build a future
- 25 Fossil Fuel Producers Responsible for Half Global Emissions in Past 3 Decades
- Keystone XL: Low Oil Prices, Tar Sands Pullout Could Kill Pipeline Plan
- Global Warming Set the Stage for Los Angeles Fires
- On Father's Day Jim Gaffigan ponders the peculiar lives of childless men
Ranking
- Selena Gomez's "Weird Uncles" Steve Martin and Martin Short React to Her Engagement
- Don’t Miss This $65 Deal on $142 Worth of Peter Thomas Roth Anti-Aging Skincare Products
- Global Warming Is Changing the Winds Off Antarctica, Driving Ice Melt
- Medications Can Raise Heat Stroke Risk. Are Doctors Prepared to Respond as the Planet Warms?
- FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
- Alibaba replaces CEO and chairman in surprise management overhaul
- Baltimore Ravens WR Odell Beckham Jr. opens up on future plans, recovery from ACL injury
- Julian Sands' cause of death ruled 'undetermined' one month after remains were found
Recommendation
Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
Foo Fighters Reveal Their New Drummer One Year After Taylor Hawkins' Death
Vanderpump Rules' Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix Honor Friend Ali Rafiq After His Death
Attacks on Brazil's schools — often by former students — spur a search for solutions
2 killed, 3 injured in shooting at makeshift club in Houston
Weaponizing the American flag as a tool of hate
Here Are Martha Stewart's Top Wellness Tips to Live Your Best Life
MLB power rankings: Orioles in rare air, knocking Rays out of AL East lead for first time