Gina Gogean Weighs in on Cojocar Scandal

Original article was published on Feb. 16th in Gazeta Sporturilor

Nine-time World Champion and multiple Olympic and European medallist Gina Gogean attacked Sabina Cojocar in an open letter addressed to the Romanian Olympic Committee, where she expressed her disapproval vis-à-vis Sabina’s comments. “I am shocked by the manner in which mediocre gymnasts, who only managed to win one medal and that in a team competition, who were accepted by the team and only excelled with the team, can throw dirt/smear the work and the results built upon sweat, effort and self-sacrifice at Deva. I am referring to Sabina Cojocar, who is better known since she started this scandal than she ever was in her entire career -crowned by a team medal in Gent, as I said before,” said Gogean in her letter.

The former champion also said she is supporting coaches Octavian Belu and Mariana Bitang, saying their mere presence at the national team means a lot to the Romanian team. “If Belu and Bitang were to get off the plane and take over the national team in any country in the world, the national media would be deliriously happy about that. We’re the opposite. What have these people done to you? They are the most decorated coaches Romania’s ever had. They are recognized as the best coaches on the planet. Why must we try to convince them to leave?" Lately, Gogean has been spending time with the two coaches and she even spent some time coaching alongside them at Deva.

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