Romania decides to boycott the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games following an “injustice” in gymnastics

The Romanian government has decided not to attend the closing ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in response to what it considers a "gross injustice" during the gymnastics events.

The decision was announced after the floor gymnastics event, where two Romanian athletes, Ana Barbosu and Sabrina Voinea, finished fourth and fifth, respectively. Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu said on Tuesday that the Romanian delegation would not take part in the closing ceremony scheduled for Sunday at the Stade de France.

Ana Barbosu, aged 18, was initially declared the bronze medalist and even celebrated by waving the Romanian flag at the Arena Bercy. However, after a reassessment of American Jordan Chiles' score, she was demoted to fourth place. Sabrina Voinea, for her part, contested her fifth place, saying that she had given her best performance and that she did not understand the penalty.

Both gymnasts left the competition in tears. Their trainer and mother of Sabrina, Camelia Voinea, announced their withdrawal from the circuit on Facebook. Gymnastics legend Nadia Comaneci also lent her support to both athletes, calling for a review of Sabrina Voinea's performance and to "protect the mental health" of the gymnasts.

Faced with this situation, the Romanian gymnastics federation plans to file two complaints with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), according to its president Carmencita Constantin. Prime Minister Ciolacu denounced the “dishonorable” treatment of Romanian gymnasts and promised that the athletes would be “treated like Olympic champions” upon their return to the country. The bronze medalists receive a reward of 60.000 euros in Romania.

The Romanian gymnastics team, which participated in its first Olympics in 12 years, leaves Paris without a medal, after finishing seventh in the team event.

Alice Leroy