Andreea Ulmeanu Fails to Make National Team

Andreea Ulmeanu failed the test that all former National team members have to take in order to be readmitted to Deva. She went to Deva as soon as she felt ready to take the test, but ended up failing. "Andreea Ulmeanu's level of preparedness was not satisfactory from any standpoint, with all the extenuating circumstances we allow those who train at their home clubs. We’ll wait for her at 2 or 3 more test sessions, because we are not willing to give an infinite number of tests for all the former Gent team members," said Octavian Belu.

He added he is not ready to make any compromises when it comes to selecting the team. Silvia Stroescu is the only veteran who is resting until September. The others, Sabina Cojocar, Loredana Boboc and Carmen Ionescu, are expected [to test] until the end of the year. Although the deadline is still far away, the gymnasts should hurry up if they want to make the team, because the two coaches at Deva will not look at previous results, but physical shape and their readiness to compete. The team [for 2003] is already shaping up. Besides the 5 junior European team medallists -who will be age eligible next year- several gymnasts from Onesti were also scouted. "For now, we don't have a definite idea about the gymnasts from Onesti, but the most important selection criteria will be their age. The ones born in 1987 or 1988 would be given a closer look. In any case, we are determined to work only with kids in perfect health from now on, although coaching a competitive athlete who doesn't have any health problems is a utopia."

Talks about the National team are scheduled to resume next week, when RGF officials will return from the FIC Executive Committee meeting in Japan.

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