FIG Reacts to Breaking News of Fraud

Several Romanian newspapers uncovered an old tactic used by the RGF to improve Romania’s medal chances, namely changing a gymnast’s date of birth so that she would be eligible to compete in FIG-sanctioned Senior events.
Gazeta Sporturilor was the first one to contact the FIG and get the international forum’s reaction. Switzerland’s Norbert Bueche -General secretary of the FIG- asked Gazeta Sporturilor to provide him with copies of the authentic birth certificates and commented that “we are faced with serious accusations and revelations, and the FIG will not take them lightly.” Meanwhile, RGF President Nicolae Vieru tried to downplay the importance of this new-found information, dismissing it and wondering “who in Romania could benefit from these actions that are hurting Romania‘s image.” Vieru is leaving for Geneva in an attempt to try and “reassure” FIG Bruno Grandi. The RGF is still trying to hush things up, blaming everyone except themselves.

Vieru went a step further from denying responsibility. After realizing trying to find new guilty parties in Romania is bound to fail, his latest concoction involves an international conspiracy. “I’ll let President Grandi know about the ‘supportive’ attitude of the Romanian press. It is a horrible scandal, and I believe it is fueled from outside sources. No one in the RGF could have produced false passports. I don’t feel the slightest trace of guilt. If I am relived from my duties as President at the next General Meeting, so be it. In any case, I don’t intend to resign since I am not an employee [he is honorary President]. The gymnasts who talked about this can argue with the media themselves. For all I care, they’re welcome to take to the streets. I haven’t received any complaints from the gymnasts’ parents saying their daughters had illegal documents. Let me tell you, the world is sick of gymnastics! But that doesn’t mean I’ll blame myself for that!,” concluded Vieru.

Romanian government officials have heard about the scandal and are none too pleased about what has transpired. “The people who cheated and committed fraud are solely responsible for this scandal, not the press who dug out the truth, letting us know what happened,” said a cabinet member, who asked to remain anonymous.

Former Senior national team member Monica Zahiu, silver medallist with the Romanian team at the 1995 Junior Europeans also had her date of birth changed from 1982 to 1981. “It was at the end of 1994, when coach Eliza Stoica and RGF officials, including Mr. Vieru and Mr. Stoica told me they planned to change my DOB. I was told they were doing it so I could compete at the 1996 Olympic Games, where I was going to compete with false papers,” recalls Monica. She was forced to retire before the Olympic Games, due to accumulated injuries.

So far, the RGF has been guilty of fraud, lying to the FIG and IOC about the gymnasts’ ages, and abusing the parents’ trust who handed the system healthy kids, only to receive rejected gymnasts, who will always struggle with old injuries. The FIG could go as far as withdrawing Romania’s medals for the gymnasts who competed illegally, and even disqualifying the entire team from those events.

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