Finally some good news from Romania, or at least, news from Romania that is not devastating.
According to an article published on Dinamo Club’s official website, Larisa Iordache is planning to compete for the first time this year at the Romanian Nationals (1st to 3rd of July, Cluj-Napoca). Larisa feels that she reached about 60% of her potential and is doing two training sessions a day. Her hand is well and she can use it on flicks and can grasp the bar (on uneven bars training). For nationals, she plans to compete on all four events: ” At nationals I’ll be somewhere towards 75% of potential. I will compete on all four events, with an easier and safer uneven bars routine. If all will go as I want, nationals will be the kick off for the last part of the preparation before Rio. Until leaving for Brazil I will reach full potential”.
Larisa Iordache and Catalina Ponor are both training hard to bid for the sole Romanian spot for Rio Olympics. The article also mentions that the two gymnasts saw the Romanian Federation officials last Monday, and they were guaranteed that the decision on the selection has not been taken and that their shape before Rio will decide who takes the spot.
“I always thought that the best must win! It is not necessarily a competition. We support each other and, frankly, I’m extremely sorry that we ended up in this situation, that only one of us can go to the Olympics. I think we both deserved to be there.” said Iordache.
Of course, it’s good to have at least two gymnasts (if not an entire team, sadly) training and pushing one another to attain the best possible competitive shape in the next weeks. This is usually an efficient motivator and it could enhance the chances for the “chosen” one to arrive in Rio well prepared and with medal chances. Then, it’s always good to have a reserve as you never know , injuries happen (and have happened too often for Romania lately).
Romanian Nationals will be interesting to watch as Larisa and Catalina will compete against each other for the first time and we will finally get to see how their performances are evaluated and ranked by the judges.
Article: Bea Gheorghisor
Photo Cover: Nadia Boyce
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