Scandals continue in the 33rd edition of the tournament Summer Olympicsthe 2024 Paris Olympics, this time because of Romania, which expressed its dissatisfaction with the events that accompanied the final of the floor exercise competition in gymnastics.
During the floor exercise competitions in gymnastics, Romanian Ana Barbuzu was announced as the winner of the bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, before it was decided to return her to fourth place, in a resounding scandal for the organizing committee of the current session.
After initially being considered the bronze medalist, Barbuzo was demoted to fourth place in favour of fellow American Jordan Chiles, who moved up from fifth to third to take bronze, also ahead of fellow Romanian Voinia.
The incident has caused outrage in the Romanian government, with the country’s prime minister stepping in to announce that he will not be attending the closing ceremony. Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu said the incident was a “blatant injustice” and that the two Romanian athletes had been treated “in a completely shameful manner”.
Prime Minister Ciolacu also confirmed that both Barbuzo and Voinja will receive prizes similar to those allocated to the medal winner, i.e. 60,000 euros each.
Voinia, 17, also appealed unsuccessfully, saying she had been unfairly punished, and both Romanian women left the competition in tears.
Romanian gymnastics legend Nadia Comaneci entered the controversy in a series of posts on the X platform, complaining about the lack of protection for the “mental health of athletes”, calling for a re-evaluation of the matter, because Voinya’s routine did not go beyond the limits of the mat, she said.
“It’s a very good game,” Gymnastics Federation President Carmencita Constantin told AFP.AFPThe country will file two complaints with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after Monday’s floor final; the Romanian team has also filed a complaint with the International Gymnastics Federation demanding a review of Voinya’s routine.
The Romanian gymnastics team, returning to the Summer Games for the first time in 12 years, finished without a medal in the French capital, after also finishing seventh in the overall team competition.
Scandals never end at Paris 2024 Olympics
This is not the first scandal at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The Belgian Olympic Committee announced the day before yesterday its intention to withdraw its team from the mixed triathlon competition at the Paris 2024 Olympics, after one of the competitors who swam in the Seine River fell ill.
Claire Michel, who competed in the women’s individual triathlon on Wednesday, “is unfortunately ill and will have to withdraw from the competition,” the Belgian Olympic Committee and Federal Committee said in a statement.
Gold medalist “homeless” in Paris!
Not only that, but Italian swimmer Thomas Ciccone, who won the gold medal, was forced to sleep in a Paris park, after complaining about the poor conditions in the Olympic Village.
In recent days, Sekon has made headlines after complaining about living conditions in the Olympic Village, despite winning two medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Athletes’ food is not good!
Meanwhile, British swimmer Adam Peaty claimed that athletes participating in the Paris 2024 Olympics found worms in their food, criticizing the poor food service in the Olympic Village.
“The food is not good enough to make athletes perform at their best,” Petit told reporters, criticising the way the food was served. “In Tokyo the food was amazing. In Rio it was amazing. But this time? Not enough protein options, long lines, waiting 30 minutes for food because there is no queue system.”
