Article by David Istrate – Published Monday, May 18, 2026 10:13 p.m. / Updated Monday, May 18, 2026 10:21 p.m.
Mihai Covaliu, president of the Romanian Olympic and Sports Committee, spoke about provisional suspension of gymnast Ana Bărbosu (19 years old) and stated that the Romanian Gymnastics Federation could have been more involved to avoid this situation.
Ana Maria Bărbosu had an excellent first season in the NCAA at Stanford, impressing with her excellent exercises. But, 11 days ago, she was temporarily suspended from activity by the International Testing Agency (ITA), because she was not found 3 times in a year by anti-doping agents at the home where she announced she was.
Mihai Covaliu, the president of COSR, expressed his support for Ana Bărbosu: “She still has a lot to say in gymnastics”
Mihai Covaliu, the president of COSR, spoke about Bărbosu's situation and declared that even a definitive suspension would not be the end of the world.
“A definitive suspension will by no means be career-ending for her. I am convinced that she still has a lot to say in gymnastics and I would even use the Olympic Games in Los Angeles, in 2028, as a good motivation to come back and show that things happened carelessly, carelessly“, said Covaliu, quoted by news.ro.
“But they happened, we can't deny that. From what we calculated, it will be right in the deadline, so the suspension will end and she will be able to train and maybe, now we can't say for sure, the gymnastics team will be able to qualify for the Olympic Games,” he added.
Asked how he explains the 3 checks missed by the gymnast from Romania, he offered Ana's arguments and expressed his dissatisfaction with the Romanian Gymnastics Federation.
“He clearly said that he was absent because of the move to the United States, the emotions, the schedule a little different from what he had here in Romania. Things like that can happen. Here, the federation, the forum that coordinates the training of the athletes, that keeps in touch with the coaches, keeps in touch with everything that means those who are involved in the program of an athlete, could do more, could take a closer interest in the fact that it happened to end up having two “missed tests”“, stated Covaliu.
“It is clear that at that moment it is a very, very big alarm signal and you then have to get involved and take all the measures, so that there is no third party. Now we are in the present situation, he has the support of the lawyers that the university has made available to him, they are experienced lawyers, he has the support of the family, that is clear, and I think that now at the 12th hour he also has the support of the Romanian Gymnastics Federation. And the support from our side is indisputable and non-negotiable”, concluded the president of COSR.
Ana Maria Bărbosu risks being suspended for two years by the ITA // photo: Imago
Ana Bărbosu: “This situation has nothing to do with banned substances”
I would like to share and clarify some information that has been circulating. As you can imagine, moving to the United States and starting college was a major transition. Adapting to all these changes has been a challenge, but I continue to learn and grow through each experience.
To be clear, this situation has nothing to do with banned substances, and I am grateful for the guidance and support I received throughout this process
– Ana Bărbosu's message, after the suspension of the provision from the ITA
