Romanian gymnast Ana Bărbosu made headlines at the 2024 Olympic Games when she won a bronze medal on the floor exercise after a controversial ruling that stripped the medal from American Jordan Chiles. Despite the drama surrounding her victory, Bărbosu has announced that she will be joining Stanford’s gymnastics team in the fall, sharing her excitement on Instagram with the caption, “Can’t wait to join this amazing family! Go Card.”
The controversy surrounding Bărbosu’s bronze medal stemmed from a last-minute score change that bumped Chiles from fifth to third place. Chiles’ coach successfully requested to have her score raised by 0.1, but the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) later ruled that the inquiry should not have been accepted due to a missed deadline. As a result, the bronze medal was reallocated to Bărbosu, who received it at a ceremony in Bucharest, Romania.
The emotional rollercoaster of the floor exercise final was evident as Bărbosu initially celebrated her third-place finish, only to have her hopes dashed when Chiles’ score was adjusted. The Romanian gymnast dropped her flag in shock and left the floor in tears, highlighting the intense competition and high stakes of Olympic gymnastics.
While Bărbosu is currently the official owner of the bronze medal, the controversy is far from over. Chiles and USA Gymnastics have filed appeals with the Swiss Federal Tribunal to overturn the CAS ruling, arguing that video evidence proves the inquiry was submitted on time. The outcome of these appeals will determine the final fate of the bronze medal.
Looking ahead to her collegiate career, Bărbosu will be joining Stanford’s gymnastics team for the 2026 NCAA season. Stanford, which made a Cinderella run to the NCAA championship semifinal in 2024, will benefit from Bărbosu’s talent and experience on the international stage. It’s likely that Bărbosu and Chiles will face off at the collegiate level, with Chiles competing for UCLA in her senior season.
In addition to Bărbosu, another Romanian gymnast from the 2024 Olympics, Lilia Cosman, has committed to Michigan State, further adding to the talent pool in NCAA gymnastics. As these international stars transition to the collegiate ranks, fans can expect to see exciting matchups and fierce competition on the gym floor.
Overall, Bărbosu’s journey from Olympic controversy to collegiate success is a testament to her resilience and determination in the face of adversity. As she embarks on the next chapter of her gymnastics career at Stanford, she will undoubtedly continue to make a name for herself in the sport.
