Romanian gymnast Ana Barbosu broke her silence on Sunday after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) ordered American Jordan Chiles to return her bronze medal.
Barbosu could claim the bronze medal amid the controversy that followed the floor final at the Paris Olympics last week. The Centre for Sport Arbitration ruled that the U.S. investigation into Chile’s score had exceeded the one-minute deadline and ruled that her score of 13.666 be reinstated, which would drop her to fifth in the rankings, even behind Romania’s Sabrina Mancea-Voinea.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Ana Barbosu of Romania performs during the women's floor exercise final at the Paris Olympics on August 5, 2024. (Mehmet Murat Onel/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Barbosu's message came after the IOC's decision but before the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee planned to appeal, and USA Gymnastics said it has evidence that the investigation reached judges within the deadline on two occasions. Barbosu blamed officials for the drama.
“Sabrina, Jordan, my thoughts are with you. I know what you're feeling because I went through the same thing. But I know you'll come back stronger,” she wrote in an Instagram post. “I wish from the bottom of my heart that at the next Olympic Games, the three of us will share the same podium. That's my true dream.”
“This situation would not have happened if those responsible had respected the rules. We, the athletes, are not to blame and the hatred directed at us is painful. I wanted to end this edition of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in the spirit of Olympism, the true value of the world.”
Ana Barbosu of Romania performs during the women's floor exercise final at the Paris Olympics on August 5, 2024. (Daniela Porcelli/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
BRITTNEY GRINER, WHO ONCE BOYCOTTED THE NATIONAL ANTHEM, GETS EMOTIONAL WHEN THE 'STAR-SPANGLED BANNER' PLAYS AFTER GOLD WIN
USA Gymnastics said later Sunday that it has video evidence showing the investigation was conducted in a timely manner.
Chiles has not made any comments since learning of the CAS ruling, prompting her to take a break from social media.
Meanwhile, Mancea-Voinea, Barbosu and Chiles have received criticism online for the entire experience.
Romanian gymnastics legend Nadia Comaneci has pleaded with people around the world to stop attacking female gymnasts.
Team USA's Jordan Chiles is pictured at the Paris Olympics on August 5, 2024. (Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“To all the fans around the world, please STOP attacking these young girls… it's unacceptable and cruel,” she wrote on X.
Follow Fox News Digital Sports coverage on X and subscribe to The Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
