The Rise & Fall of Romanian Gymnastics

The Rise & Fall of Romanian Gymnastics has been a sad thing to witness - on one hand. On the other hand, the decline signifies a healthier economy and culture. We dig into what's happened, why and what the future looks like for Romanian WAG.

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[jesb]

It makes me really sad to read all the comments about how wonderful it used to be and how we hope it returns that way without acknowledging that the success was at least in part to the horrible abuse the girls suffered. Beatings by coaches and parents. A lack of nutrition. Living in an environment of fear. They were incredible gymnasts, but I feel like we need to simultaneously acknowledge what they went through. No one else ever did for them.

[talialawee]

Romanian gymnasts were always so amazing and it's sad they're basically gone

[alexisouren]

seeing ponor crying made me so upset she’s such a legend and she’s done everything she can

[ovidiuradu]

The talent is probably still there, but the incentives and mentality should match today’s standards.
Teach younger generations to love the sport and reward results with footballers’ salaries.

[kristacarlson]

I was obsessed with Romanian gymnastics from 1992-2000+. Mid-90’s, I wrote to the embassy asking for any info on gymnastics. They sent me a cd for the computer with ‘70’s and 80’s highlights of their gymnasts routines as well as a book. Amanar will always be my favorite gymnast. I think it will take for Romanian gymnastics to make a come back. I miss seeing them up on the podium.

[lepisan]

4:51 that's the new Romanian gymnastics program, started back in 2014 by Belu and Bitang, with the help of the government officials, sponsors and former champions (including Nadia, Ponor, Izbașa, Răducan). They selected 200 talented little girls (out of over 12.000 participants) to train initially at regional gymnastics clubs. Currently there is a junior team training at the national center at Izvorani. The girls show great potential and they are expected to peak in time for Paris 2024. One of them is Ana Maria Bărbosu, 6 times junior European champion in 2020.
Would this be enough? We'll see.

[cat]

So it declined because they stopped abusing children? I don't see why that's a bad thing.

[circulati]

Belu and Bitang were the national team coaches, but the girls who were selected had been already coached at their local clubs by very competent coaches. Many of those coaches unfortunately emigrated during the 90s. I used to see a lot of Romanian names in the staff of countries like France or England, who were never good at gymnastics and suddenly started having results. In all sports, junior coaches are crucial in developing the elite athletes. I remember seeing some interviews a few years ago where they were complaining about the uneven skill set the gymnasts arrive with when they come to the national team now. The decline of early coaching and scouting are another 2 very important factors for the Romanian gymnastics situation.

[gymcentric]

Can you talk about your opinion on Asian gymnastics? China is a powerhouse but there is so much hidden and so much to be unfolded, Korean gymnastics is so interesting with the abuse allegations, wrongly aged gymnasts, and North Korea having such great vaulters but nothing else. Japan is so successful on the men’s side, how do the women get treated/represented. Maybe choose one and make a video?

[antieverything]

this is so so sad. Romanian gymnasts to me were the perfect mix of grace, fluidity and skill. I miss seeing them and hope they are in for a comeback in 2024 olympics!

[nelutusmusiclesson]

One important "economic" factor that affected directly gymnastics and other sports in Romania is the way the popular practice of sports changed. Previously there existed a state-supported system of local sports clubs at neighbourhood, school, town, and city levels, where many children could take up and practice a variety of sports. This constituted a great and vast selection basis for competitive and elite sports. With the fall communism, privatisation and neoliberalisation of everything, these clubs were disbanded, their facilities dismantled or otherwise destroyed, the subject of Physical Education in schools diminished and discredited. Thus, most kids who cannot afford to pay for private practicing of sports have very little if any opportunity to do it anymore. The whole structure on which the world competitive sports like gymnastics (or tennis, basketball, volleyball, athletics in general, swimming etc. ) relied has disappeared like smoke.

[bruinslaurent]

I truly hope larisa can medal this year. She’s had such a tough, up and down career. She’s been through a lot

[MAYKNG]

Outrageous that Belu could dare to blame his gymnasts failure on their 'injuries and lack of motivation' - both of which lie squarely on the shoulder of the coach and system within which they train.

[Alsayid]

It fascinates me how a little country can build up from nowhere into a dominant force in something, but then after they are dominant it eventually falls apart and there is seemingly no way to retain it. This is so true of so much more than gymnastics.

[extraemail]

Three of the eight coaches at my gym were from Romania. They were some of the best coaches I ever had.

[mr.balloffur]

Ponor should be named the national coach, if coaching is something she wants to do

[sallydaniel]

I've been wondering what happened to Romanian gymnastics, so thanks for posting this video. I'm glad their economy is doing better and they've shifted their focus to education. It's always sad to see great sports dynasties die, but we do have YouTube to watch the greats.

[frijou]

Sad story. I loved the Romanian gymnasts. They were my favourites.

[gabrielamaramures]

Cele mai periculoase minciuni sunt cele împănate cu jumătăți de adevăr! Mulțumesc pentru emoționantele evocări și multelor răscolitoare și frumoase amintiri ! Totuși, nu ați expus adevarul! Ci o versiune, o narativă corect politic😇Salutări și urări de bine, tuturor!

[JoaoZamae]

I feel like most of the people didn't really listened to the video.
When I clicked this video I was sad that the era os success for Romanian gymnastics had come to an end, but now I finish the video happy for that.
A success over child beating, mental and physical abuse, lots of pressure and much more is definitely not worth. I mean, just for the pleasure of the audience?
The sports is literally spoiled, rotting, contaminated of these kind of "people", child abusers. It has also became public in the US last years.
So disgusting.