Highest State Order for the Romanian Olympic gymnasts

August 17, 2012

At the Olympics 2012 in London, the Romanian women’s artistic gymnasts realized once again top results in this very important sport which is part of the Olympic Program since the second edition in Paris in 1900.

Since 1976, the Romanian women team always managed to secure a place on the podium - this year in London they were awarded the bronze medal.

The Romanian delegation returned home from the London Olympics with 9 medals altogether. Artistic gymnastics contributed the highest number of medals with 3 in total, one of each color.

Sandra Izbasa - Olympic champion on floor in 2008 - won gold on vault, Catalina Ponor – triple Olympic champion in Athens 2004 - garnered the silver medal on floor and last but not least the bronze medal was awarded to the women team (including as well Larisa Iordache, Diana Chelaru and Diana Bulimar), under the coordination of the most successful coaches Octavian Bellu and Mariana Bitang (together in the Gymnastics Hall of Fame and the Guinness Book of Records).

After their arrival at the Bucharest International Airport, a Ceremony was held at the Presidential Palace in honor of all medalists, their coaches as well as the entire staff, who were awarded the highest State Order.

The State Order has also been handed over to Mr. Adrian Stoica, President of the Romanian Gymnastics Federation and President of the FIG Men’s Artistic Gymnastics Technical Committee as well as to Mr. Mircea Apolzan, General Secretary of the Federation and Member of UEG Technical Committee, who were important members of the jury at the London Olympic Games.

“On behalf of all citizens of Romania and on behalf of all sport lovers, thank you to all members of the Romanian Delegation and to those who have helped us to these Olympics victories”, declared ad-interim President Crin Antonescu.

At his turn, the Prime Minister Victor Ponta, who also attended the Ceremony and who spent several days in the Olympic tribunes, said: “I want to thank you because in London I witnessed a lot of respect for our delegation, for our country. No one can do more to Romania than you did by winning these medals”.

For their results, the Romanian Olympic champions receive 100 000 Euro and one car from the Government. The other medalists and their coaches are supposed to receive equally generous prizes.

Emanuel Fantaneanu

Head of Media FRG

AIPS Executive Committee Member

Photo: by Presidential Administration