What began as a floor exercise controversy in Paris has slowly evolved into one of the sport’s most unexpected rivalries. Jordan Chiles was originally awarded the Olympic bronze medal after a successful appeal boosted her floor difficulty score, edging out Romania’s Ana Barbosu. But the celebration was short-lived. A ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport later overturned the decision, citing a late appeal, and the medal was handed back to Barbosu, sparking confusion and uproar across gymnastics circles.

Barbosu, thrust into the spotlight and subjected to online bullying over the incident, responded not with retreat but reinvention. Her bombshell announcement in January, committing to Stanford as part of the 2026 NCAA recruiting class, sent shockwaves through the community. But just as anticipation was peaking, the European Gymnastics Championships brought a new twist with a deeply concerning update.

Inside Gymnastics took to Instagram, highlighting the absence from the mixed team event that has raised eyebrows. Why was Romania’s top gymnast, Ana Barbosu, suddenly withdrawn from team competition? Just hours before the individual all-around finals at the European Gymnastics Championships, the Romanian Gymnastics Federation broke the silence. With a carefully worded statement. Via the Romanian Gymnastics Federation, “The decision for Ana Barbosu and Nicholas Tarca not to compete was made in common agreement with the athletes, coaches, and the management of the Federation. The team leader, Ana Barbosu, will compete tomorrow for a European medal in the finals of the individual All-Around…” The update did little to settle the nerves. If anything, it has raised more questions than answers.

Especially as Barbosu had been pegged as Romania’s cornerstone for both team and individual events. The timing of Ana Barbosu’s withdrawal becomes even more intriguing considering the historic nature of this year’s European Gymnastics Championships. For the first time ever, the mixed team event made its debut. A major preview of what’s to come at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. With fans eagerly embracing the new format, Romania’s decision to sideline both Barbosu and Nicholas Tarca from the team event has only intensified speculation. Especially since Barbosu had been poised as the squad’s cornerstone. Her sudden absence from such a marquee moment naturally raises eyebrows.

Fueling the fire further, a video posted on May 27th, 2025, cast a shadow over team dynamics in the Romanian camp. The clip captured during the current European Championships in Leipzig seemed to reveal lingering tensions. Between Ana Barbosu and fellow Olympian Sabrina Voinea. As Barbosu came off the bars and joined her teammates in celebration, the footage showed Sabrina walking away from the group. It was an echo of Paris, where bronze medal drama overshadowed unity. And now Ana Barbosu’s step back from the mixed team competition is now casting long shadows over what should have been a moment of national pride.

Barbosu shines solo while tensions linger 

Ana Barbosu continues to prove her resilience amid turbulence. At the 2025 European Gymnastics Championships, she delivered a strong showing. Finishing second in the all-around with a 53.933 and securing a top-two spot on floor. Advancing confidently to the individual finals. In stark contrast, teammate Sabrina Voinea struggled. Competing on three apparatuses during the team final, Voinea’s performance was marred by a fall on her beam mount. A stumble on her tour jeté half and an unstable landing. These missteps follow long-standing friction between the two gymnasts.

Speaking candidly on Un Podcast in August 2024, Barbosu admitted, “I felt her a little more distant from me, but I think it’s because of the situation… It will pass; we need the team further.” Despite that optimism, the recent footage and competition outcomes suggest the rift may still linger. Beyond the European Championships, Barbosu’s next chapter is drawing attention for entirely different reasons. The Romanian star had earlier announced her commitment to Stanford University. She joins a program under head coach Tabitha Yim that is rapidly gaining national momentum.

Barbosu’s arrival could mark a turning point, especially with her Olympic experience and reputation as a team leader. Her resume speaks volumes. Barbosu dominated the 2020 European Junior Championships, sweeping all six gold medals. Team, all-around, vault, bars, beam, and floor: an unmatched feat in recent Romanian gymnastics history. Since moving to the senior ranks, she’s competed in multiple World Cups and World Championships. Fans are eager to see if she can cement her legacy further, at least in the individual events.