The official apparel of Romanian athletes for the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro was presented on Wednesday in a gala event on the esplanade of the Romanian Olympic and Sports Committee premises. The gear, produced by Italian Kappa Company, is comprised of navy blue trousers, white, yellow and red T-shirts and navy blue athletic suits. The casual outfit designed by French Louis Purple is navy blue blazers and white trousers for men, and white blazer plus blue skirt for women. The gala suits and ties are navy blue, with white shirts, also from Louis Purple.
As athletes participating in the games are in various training camps, the apparel was presented by Romania’s youth fencing team.
The Olympic Committee President Alin Petrache wished the clothing brings luck to the competitors. “I think it’s among the most beautiful we ever had,” he appreciated.
The ‘Team Romania’ mobile app for Android and iOS systems was also launched at the event; it allows finding information on the Romanian athletes’ performances.
The attendance included Brazilian Ambassador Eduardo Augusto Ibiapina de Seixas, sports federations officials, and former athletes George Cosac, Gabriela Szabo, Doina Melinte, George Boroi, Camelia Potec, Constantina Dita, Cristinel Romanescu, Alexandru Dedu and Vasile Citea.
Team Romania currently includes 98 athletes and 7 reserves, in 15 events, with most participants in track and field (24) and rowing (18).
Romanian Olympic Committee’s Petrache: I expect between six and eight medals, maybe even nine
Romanian Olympic and Sports Committee (COSR) President Alin Petrache said on Wednesday evening that, taking into account the estimations of the national federations, he expects Romania to win between six and eight medals, maybe even nine in the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
“To us, those with the COSR, the Games have begun a very long time ago, ever since the last edition ended. The COSR couldn’t have done more than we have already done. I am a little bit sad that we don’t leave for Rio as a team, but in turns. But this is it, the important thing is the way we perform there. This team has the capacity to come back to the country with the medals we all want. I am not pessimistic, and I expect between six and eight medals, maybe we’ll even have a surprise and win nine medals,” he said.
Asked what he thinks about the fact that the kayak-canoe six athlete team will not be able to participate in the 2016 Olympics after the doping sanction imposed by the relevant international federation on all national senior teams, Petrache replied: “It is a painful moment for the Romanian sports, because it is an important federation that has won a bunch of Olympic medals. It is a great pain to see this federation suspended for one year from all international competitions.”
In respect to the Zika virus, the COSR president said that he isn’t afraid of the mosquitoes carrying the virus. He did not wish to comment on Simona Halep’s decision not to participate in the Olympic Games because of the Zika virus. “I wasn’t afraid of this mosquito; I said that this mosquito is coming to Europe, because it is a hot summer here. In Brazil it is already winter, and the organisers told us they are not afraid of this mosquito. I cannot comment on Simona Halep’s decision. She is a professional athlete, a great sports woman whom Romania needed. I cannot comment, it is up to her,” he added.
President hands over flag at Cotroceni Palace
Romania’s Olympic team that will participate in the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro was officially received at the Cotroceni Palace by President Klaus Werner Iohannis on Thursday.
The highlight of the event was the handover of the flag by the President to designated flag bearer Catalina Ponor, in line with the Olympic protocol.
