Joy quickly vanished for Romania’s Ana Barbosu during the Paris Olympics on Monday.
Initially, Barbosu believed she had secured a bronze medal in the women’s floor exercise when Jordan Chiles scored 13.666, potentially marking Barbosu’s first Olympic medal.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Ana Barbosu of Romania competes during the Women’s Floor Exercise Final on the tenth day of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on August 5, 2024, in Paris, France. (Mehmet Murat Onel/Anadolu via Getty Images)
She began to celebrate when officials announced Chiles’ score had been revised. Chiles ended up with a score of 13.766, ensuring her place on the podium.
Overwhelmed, Barbosu was left in tears after attempting to celebrate with her country’s flag.
Gymnastics icon Nadia Comaneci criticized the score readjustment.
Nadia Comaneci attends the 2019 Laureus Fashion Show Gala held during New York Fashion Week, highlighting sport and fashion to promote Sport for Good at Mercedes-Benz Manhattan on September 10, 2019, in New York City. (Steven Ferdman/Getty Images)
“It’s unbelievable that athletes’ mental health and emotions are treated this way… we need to protect them,” the nine-time Olympic medalist shared on X.
AMERICAN KRISTEN FAULKNER CLAIMS A STUNNING GOLD MEDAL IN WOMEN’S ROAD RACE AT PARIS OLYMPICS
Comaneci won five gold medals in her Olympic career and was the first gymnast to achieve a perfect 10 at the 1976 Summer Games.
Team USA coach Cecile Landi stood by the decision to question the score.
“At that moment, we had nothing to lose, so I thought, ‘Let’s just try,'” Landi commented. “I honestly didn’t expect any change, but when I heard her scream, I looked back in disbelief.”
Ana Barbosu of Team Romania participates in the Artistic Gymnastics Women’s Floor Exercise Final on the tenth day of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on August 5, 2024, in Paris, France. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
At just 18 years old, Barbosu was competing in her first Olympics, having previously achieved great success as a junior, winning six gold medals at the 2020 Junior European Championships.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
She clinched first place in the all-around at the 2022 and 2023 Romgym Trophy and was also the champion in the all-around and uneven bars at the 2023 Romanian Championships.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
For the latest sports news, follow Fox News Digital’s coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter..
