In a shocking turn of events, Romania's Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu announced on Tuesday that he will be boycotting the closing ceremony of the Paris Olympics 2024. His decision comes in response to what he called a "scandalous situation" that resulted in a Romanian gymnast losing a bronze medal.

The controversy unfolded when Ana Barbosu, a Romanian gymnast, had already begun celebrating her hard-earned bronze for the floor event on Monday. However, the coaches of American gymnast Jordan Chiles appealed to the judges over Chiles' score. This inquiry later led to a revision in Chiles' score, giving her a 0.1 boost that allowed her to overtake Barbosu for the medal position on the Olympic podium.

Expressing his outrage, Ciolacu took to Facebook and stated, "I decided not to attend the closing ceremony of the Paris Olympics, following the scandalous situation in the gymnastics, where our athletes were treated in an absolutely dishonorable manner." He further criticized the decision to withdraw a medal earned through honest work based on an appeal, deeming it "totally unacceptable."

In a show of support for the affected athletes, Ciolacu assured that Romania would honor Barbosu and Sabrina Maneca-Voinea, who finished in fifth place, as Olympic medalists, including providing them with appropriate prizes. He emphasized that their dedication and tears are more valuable to the nation than any medal, regardless of its metal.

Barbosu's heartbreaking reaction was captured on camera during the incident. She was seen standing on the floor, holding a Romanian flag, when she noticed the scoring change displayed on the video board. Overwhelmed with shock, she dropped the flag, covered her face with her hands, and left the scene in tears.

Inquiries like the one that occurred are a standard part of gymnastics competitions, where athletes or coaches can request judges to review a routine for proper evaluation. Scores may be adjusted as a result. The revised scoring of Chiles' performance also affected another Romanian gymnast, Sabrina Maneca-Voinea, pushing her down to fifth place.

Romania has a storied history in gymnastics and made a comeback to the Olympics after a 12-year hiatus. The country's legendary gymnast, Nadia Comaneci, also expressed her frustration, emphasizing the impact on athletes' mental health and emotions.

Ciolacu condemned the incident, stating that viewers worldwide were "literally shocked by this terrible scene" and suggesting that it highlights systemic issues in the organization of the competition. The controversy surrounding the gymnastics event at the Paris Olympics has sparked discussions about the importance of fairness, transparency, and the impact these decisions have on athletes' well-being.

As the Paris Olympics draw to a close, Romania's absence from the closing ceremony serves as a powerful statement against what Ciolacu believes to be an unjust treatment of Romanian gymnasts. Only time will tell if this controversy leads to any reforms in the gymnastics competition and safeguarding the integrity of the Olympic Games.