Romanian Prime Minister Boycotts Olympics Closing Ceremony

Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu has announced his decision to boycott the closing ceremony of the Olympics, citing dissatisfaction with the judging in the women’s floor exercise final. Ciolacu expressed outrage over the treatment of Romanian gymnasts Ana Bǎrbosu and Sabrina Maneca-Voinea, who were denied podium finishes due to controversial scoring decisions. Bǎrbosu, who finished fourth, was particularly affected by a last-minute score adjustment that elevated American gymnast Jordan Chiles to bronze, while Maneca-Voinea received a penalty that many believe was unjustified. In his statement, Ciolacu condemned the judges' actions as “dishonorable,” emphasizing that the adjustments undermined the hard work and dedication of the athletes. He criticized the decision to withdraw a medal based on an appeal, which he argued was not understood by the coaches or technical experts involved. The Prime Minister's remarks reflect a broader sentiment of disappointment within the Romanian gymnastics community, which feels that the integrity of the competition was compromised. Bǎrbosu, who was initially hopeful for a medal, expressed her surprise at the outcome, stating she was unaware of her coaches' inquiry into the scoring. Meanwhile, Maneca-Voinea's situation, though less dramatic, has also drawn criticism, with calls for transparency regarding the judging process. The Romanian Gymnastics Federation has requested a detailed analysis of the scores awarded to all participants in the floor final to address concerns from athletes and the public alike.