Belu Weighs in on Early Romanian Retirements

Head coach Octavian Belu expressed concern for the current generation of Romanian gymnasts that seem to retire earlier than ever before. �I think some sort of psychoanalysis should be performed in order to determine why previous generations of gymnasts could compete for 6, or 8 years at the highest level, while gymnasts like Andreea R�ducan cannot handle competing at a high level for 4 years,� he said in an interview. He compared that to the current Russian [and former Soviet] team. �Khorkina is still competing at age 23. I won�t even talk about Chushovitina, who competed very successfully in Ghent at age 26, after giving birth to a baby boy. The Russians have demonstrated an amazing longevity in the sport, while only 4 gymnasts from Romania have ever competed in two Olympic Games: Nadia Com�neci, Lavinia Milosovici, Gina Gogean and Simona Am�nar,� explained Belu. He also added that �until now, most of our gymnasts retired around age 21. Now, if Andreea decides to retire, retirement age would drop down to 18,or even 19, which is obviously not a good thing.� Much like assistant coach Mariana Bitang, Belu worries about the timing of Raducan�s decision to retire. �None of our past champions decided to retire a month and a half before a major event.�

Octavian Belu added Raducan is waiting for ROC President Ion Tiriac to return home [from the Winter Olympics] and will talk to him about the possibility of retirement. �She will make her final decision, based on the results of that discussion.� Tiriac will return from Salt Lake City next week. On the other hand, R�ducan doesn�t feel too confident about Tiriac�s powers of persuasion. �He�s not the one who trains in the gym. I am. What could he do if I don�t feel capable of training properly?� Tiriac was very supportive of Raducan during the 200 Olympics drug scandal, after she was stripped of her medal following a positive test for the banned substance pseudo-ephedrine. He was with her when they went to the IOC medical commission, and the Sport Court of Appeals. Later on, he organized a press conference for Andreea. He even brought Andreea�s case to the Supreme Court in Switzerland. He even resigned as ROC President because he �cannot suspend this girl [for testing positive]. She did nothing wrong.� Tiriac�s liking for Raducan has been well-known ever since. That�s why everyone�s counting on him to convince Raducan to come back.

Andreea R�ducan�s parents refused to comment their daughter�s decision. They said they always encouraged her to compete. They also advised her not to retire this time around. �My family never questioned my decision and they won�t do it this time, either. In any case, I want my decision to be respected, regardless of what that decision might be,� said Raducan.

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