The National team has been training in Sibiu since august 1st, and Octavian Belu was very happy with the overall atmosphere of the city, saying "the surroundings are very nice, and we found the peace & quiet we've been looking for." He would have liked to hold the competition late at night, "because we would have had an opportunity to get accustomed to the time zone Sydney is in. It was impossible to organize the competition at midnight. Nobody would have come to see it."

Mariana Bitang added they "expect all the gymnasts to medal. Whichever one of them can keep her emotions in check will win. In this sports, you have to exercise self-control. You saw what Maria Olaru achieved, going from an unknown to world champion."
She also made a few comments about what the gymnast are eating. "we watch their diet very carefully, but that doesn't mean they are starving", she said categorically. "There were all sorts of rumors that they are not getting all the nutrition they need, but could only have happened in the past. They are allowed to eat anything, because if we wouldn't offer them a balanced diet, they wouldn't have the energy they need (to perform). The only thing that's limited, but not prohibited, are sweets, were they can't et more than 100g /day (about 4 oz)."

The team is headed back to Deva after Nationals, where they will train until they leave for Sydney.

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