Iulia Moldovan isn't coming back home

Rhythmic gymnast Iulia Moldovan is not planning on coming back to Romania. The 17-year old Bistrita native competed at the recent World Championships in Madrid, Spain and announced she has no intention of returning home, even if that means she’ll stay in Spain as an illegal immigrant. Iulia Moldovan placed 40th in the all-around competition at Worlds, proving once again she is the best rhythmic gymnast in Romania. Claudia Rusu, the other Romanian in the AA, placed 59th. Moldovan also led the Romanian team to a 16th place finish in the team event, with a total of 209.4 pts.

Iulia Moldovan, currently a senior at Bistrita Sports High School, won her 9th National title this year, winning the all-around crown and taking first in the apparatus finals with rope, hoop and clubs. Iulia left the hotel room where the Romanian delegation was staying early Sunday morning, and disappeared without any further explanation, much to the shock of Romanian officials. The rest of the delegation is scheduled to return home later in the week.

Back to Articles Page