RGF Denies Responsibility for Alexandra Marinescu's back injuries

Romanian Gymnastics Federation officials issued a statement saying former gymnast Alexandra Marinescu was diagnosed with Scheuermann’s disease on October 24th, 1997, and she was stopped from training from then on. RGF officials also claim no connection can be made between Scheuermann’s disease and athletic activity, adding that Marinescu probably did not understand this. “Blaming the coaches is probably the easiest thing to do … but , up until now, we haven’t noticed any accusations directed towards the fact they coached her in a manner that allowed her to become a European and World Champion and an Olympic medallist…We haven’t heard any accusation when it comes to Alexandra enjoying a life annuity that gives her more money than the two accused coaches combined,” said the press release.

Several articles were published in which, Alexandra Marinescu, multiple Junior European Champion, World and Olympic medallist, accused the national team coaches of forcing her to train, even though she had back problems. The RGF press release specified competitive gymnastics in Romania is monitored by the National Sports Medicine Institute. “The truth is Alexandra Marinescu was declared “Fit to train and compete” after all the physical exams she underwent, including the one from May 26th, 1997, that was valid until September 26th, 1997, thus covering her presence at the Lausanne World championships, which took place from August 31st-September 7th, 1997. Documents from within NSMI confirm this, said the press release. Alexandra Marinescu was forced to retire in 1997, due to back problems.

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