The Romanian Gymnastics Federation (FRG) said on Wednesday that the legal proceedings before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) concerning Ana Barbosu's Paris 2024 Olympic bronze medal carry an estimated cost of around 250,000 Swiss francs, an amount the federation argues cannot be borne by a single institution.

'In the context of recent discussions about supporting the legal action regarding Ana Barbosu's Olympic medal, the Romanian Gymnastics Federation considers several clarifications necessary. The case pending before the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne involves significant costs, estimated at approximately 250,000 CHF. The FRG will continue to handle this file with responsibility and professionalism, with the objective of defending Romania's sporting interests in international procedures. Defending an Olympic result cannot be the responsibility of a single institution,' the federation said in a statement posted on Facebook.

The 250,000 CHF figure is an indicative estimate provided by lawyers based on the information available so far. The final amount will depend on the evolution and complexity of the proceedings. Costs include specialized legal fees, technical and sporting expertise, evidence administration, certified translations, procedural fees and other expenses typical of a high-complexity international dispute.

FRG said it had informed both the Romanian Olympic and Sports Committee and the National Sports Agency on May 22, 2026 about the legal action and its financial implications.

'Defending an Olympic result and the interests of an athlete who represented Romania at the highest level must be seen as an effort of the entire Romanian sports system. At the same time, the Federation operates in a difficult economic and financial context, while also having the obligation to ensure national-team preparation, participation in international competitions and continuity of sporting activity,' FRG added.

The case returned to CAS after the Swiss Federal Supreme Court sent it back for re-examination earlier this year, following the submission of an audio-video recording relevant to the timing of the U.S. delegation's protest in the Paris 2024 women's floor final.

Barbosu initially placed third, but dropped to fourth after the U.S. team filed an appeal that increased American gymnast Jordan Chiles's score, moving her from fifth to third. Romania challenged the decision at CAS, which ruled that Chiles's upgraded score should not stand because the U.S. protest was filed after the one-minute deadline. CAS awarded the bronze medal to Ana Maria Barbosu, placing Romanian Sabrina Maneca-Voinea fourth and Jordan Chiles fifth.

USA Gymnastics later submitted new video evidence arguing the first protest was lodged 47 seconds after the score was posted, but CAS did not admit the material. The Swiss Federal Court subsequently ruled that the newly submitted audio-video recording warranted a re-examination by CAS, noting that it could potentially alter the outcome.

Appeals were filed both by USA Gymnastics and by Romanian gymnast Sabrina Maneca-Voinea.

Romania had not won an Olympic artistic-gymnastics medal since 2012. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Marius Tone; EN - writing by: Simona Klodnischi)