Gymnastics legend Nadia Comaneci slams Olympics judges for ‘playing with athlete's mental health’
Nadia Comaneci is regarded as one of the greatest gymnasts of all time and was awarded the first perfect 10 in gymnastics history at the 1976 Summer Games
Romania's Ana Barbosu almost won her first Olympic medal, but a controversial score change dropped her to fourth place. During Monday's floor exercise, she initially secured the third spot with a score of 13.700. However, due to a last-minute inquiry, the 18-year-old newcomer lost her bronze to American gymnast Jordan Chiles. As the incident left her in tears, gymnastics legend Nadia Comaneci slammed the judges for toying with Barbosu's emotions.
Nadia Comaneci speaks out in favour of fellow Romanian Ana Barbosu
The 62-year-old veteran gymnast criticised the judges at the 2024 Paris Olympics for the controversial score change. “I can’t believe we play with athletes mental health and emotions like this… let’s protect them #anabarbosu,” Comaneci wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
During her Olympic career, Comaneci won five gold medals before retiring in 1984. She is regarded as one of the greatest gymnasts of all time and was awarded the first perfect 10 in gymnastics history at the 1976 Summer Games.
{{/usCountry}}During her Olympic career, Comaneci won five gold medals before retiring in 1984. She is regarded as one of the greatest gymnasts of all time and was awarded the first perfect 10 in gymnastics history at the 1976 Summer Games.
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How did Barbosu lose her medal to Chiles?
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How did Barbosu lose her medal to Chiles?
{{/usCountry}}As Chiles was the final athlete to compete, Barbosu began celebrating Romania's victory as her American opponent initially scored 13.666, which was lower than her 13.700. However, just moments later, it was announced that Chiles' score was bumped up by 0.1, which placed her in third place.
{{/usCountry}}As Chiles was the final athlete to compete, Barbosu began celebrating Romania's victory as her American opponent initially scored 13.666, which was lower than her 13.700. However, just moments later, it was announced that Chiles' score was bumped up by 0.1, which placed her in third place.
{{/usCountry}}The moment the scoreboard reflected the revised scores, Barbosu broke down in tears before leaving the venue with a devastated look on her face. Team USA coach Cecile Landi said of the inquiry, “At this point, we had nothing to lose, so I was like 'We’re just going to try,'” “I honestly didn’t think it was going to happen but when I heard her scream, I turned around and was like ‘What?’” she added.
{{/usCountry}}The moment the scoreboard reflected the revised scores, Barbosu broke down in tears before leaving the venue with a devastated look on her face. Team USA coach Cecile Landi said of the inquiry, “At this point, we had nothing to lose, so I was like 'We’re just going to try,'” “I honestly didn’t think it was going to happen but when I heard her scream, I turned around and was like ‘What?’” she added.
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