Romania’s PM Boycotts Olympic Games Closing Ceremony in Paris

Romania’s PM Marcel Ciolacu decided to boycott the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games in Paris. The decision was made following the scandal in the gymnastics final, where two Romanian gymnasts were unjustly penalized and deprived of bronze medals.

I decided not to participate in the closing ceremony of the Paris Olympics, after the scandalous situation in gymnastics, where our athletes were treated in an absolutely dishonorable way

Marcel Ciolacu on his decison of boycotting the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games in Paris

In one situation, Ana Maria Bărbosu finished the floor event final with a score of 13.700, which allowed her to get 3rd place and the bronze medal. But American Jordan Chiles, who finished the competition in 5th place with a score of 13.666, filed an appeal. After about 30 seconds, the judges decided to increase her score by ten hundredths, so the American’s total score became 13.766. In this context, Chiles surpassed Ana Maria Bărbosu and climbed 3rd place.

In the second situation, Sabrina Voinea was deprived of a medal as the referees considered she walked out with her heel in the final. Nadia Comaneci posted on X about it as she asked her followers: I don’t see the heel touching down…do you?

The French media considers this gesture as a diplomatic incident. However, considering the scandal that followed the Olympic Games opening ceremony, when France showed the world it mocks Christianity and art, this boycott falls second.