AGERPRES special correspondent Adrian Tone reports: Former great gymnast Nadia Comaneci told AGERPRES on Thursday that Romania, which is present at the Olympic Games after 12 years with its gymnastics team, has a chance to win a medal in the beam event in Paris, an event she said it was lottery-like.
"After two editions in which we failed to qualify, I'm happy to be here at this Olympics. Because we're celebrating 100 years, coming back here to Paris. The girls are ready, I hope they have a competition without mistakes, without emotions, because that's the big problem, emotions. And I hope to see some finals, I think we have a chance for the finals. I think we also have a chance to a medal, in the beam event, you know that the beam is lottery-like," Nadia Comaneci told AGERPRES.
The "Goddess of Montreal," as Nadia Comaneci is known after scoring the first 10 in the history of gymnastics, was confident in the chances of the Romanian athletes to win a number of medals at this edition of the Olympic Games.
"I can't say anything about the number of medals, but I know we have a chance in swimming, with David Popovici. I know that rowing also has many chances for medals, and then we'll see what else comes up. I have confidence in Romania, with the large turnout. I understand that rowing athletes are the most numerous, it is a beautiful participation and we must celebrate this. We will stand by them. Good luck, Team Romania, from the bottom of my heart!," Nadia Comaneci said at the opening of Romania's House at the Romanian Embassy in Paris.
Romania's House at the Romanian Embassy in Paris was opened on Thursday, on the occasion of the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, in the presence of President Klaus Iohannis. Among those who attended the event were the wife of President Klaus Iohannis, Carmen Iohannis, deputy governor of the National Bank of Romania Eugen Nicolaescu, athletes participating in the Olympic Games, former gymnast Nadia Comaneci, member of the International Olympic Committee Octavian Morariu.
Romanian gymnastics is the discipline with the most appearances on the Olympic podium, with 71 medals, including 25 gold, 20 silver and 26 bronze. The last medals Romania won in gymnastics at the Olympic Games were in London 2012 by Sandra Izbasa - gold in the vault event, Catalina Ponor - silver in the floor event, the Romanian team (Diana Laura Bulimar, Diana Chelaru, Larisa Andreea Iordache, Sandra Raluca Izbasa, Catalina Ponor) - bronze.
Romania will be represented by 106 athletes at the Olympic Games in Paris in 18 disciplines.
Comentează