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Corneliu Ion, Olympic champion in shooting at the Moscow 1980 Olympic Games has received, on Tuesday, the Golden Collar, the most important distinction of the Romanian Olympic and Sports Committee (COSR) during the General Assembly that took place at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Complex.
"I am humbled by the honor you've conferred to me. I have passed a threshold of life, but I believe that I filled my life with what I loved most, sports. I hope I have done my duty for the most part towards Romanian sport and I have not disappointed, because maybe I had some more delicate moments, as we all have in life. I thank you again for the honor granted," said the Olympic champion to COSR members.
The chairman of the Romanian Olympic and Sports Committee, Mihai Covaliu, said that it is important for the institution he leads to show gratitude towards the former athletes who brought glory to Romanian sports.
Corneliu Ion, world and Olympic champion in shooting, started the sport at 18 years old, at CSA Steaua Bucharest, where he was active between 1970 and 1988, Agerpres.ro informs.
He specialized in the rapid fire pistol event, tying for the world record, 598 points, in 1977, and contributing to the establishment of a new world record in the team event (2,370 points) in 1975, among other accomplishments achieved in the 20 years he spent on the national team.
He participated in four editions of the Olympic Games. In Moscow, in 1980, he became Olympic Champion in the rapid fire pistol event following a three-round shoot-off. In 1976, in Montreal, he took fifth place, and in Los Angeles, in 1984, he won the silver medal.
He also participated in three World Championships and five European Championships. In his entire career he won 12 medals - four gold, seven silvers and one bronze. In 1985, he won the title of European Champion, the last major performance before retirement.
After retiring from competitions, he became a coach at CSA Steaua Bucharest, being appointed head of the shooting department of the club in 1989. In 1990, he was elected chair of the Romanian Shooting Federation. He received the titles of Emeritus Master of Sports and Emeritus Coach, and in 2001 he was awarded the National Order For Merit in the rank of Officer.
