| 17. Four World Champions retire; Loredana Boboc (Romanian National Team Member 1999 - 2002), Carmen Ionescu (Romanian National Team Member 1999 - 2002), Monica Sabou (Romanian National Team Member 1999 - 2002), and Andreea Ulmeanu (Romanian National Team Member 1997 - 2002). This article was originally published in ‘Prosport’ on August 5, 2002. From the team that won the World title last year in Ghent, only Andreea Raducan, Silvia Stroescu and Sabina Cojocar remain over. The other girls, Loredana Boboc, Carmen Ionescu, Andreea Ulmeanu and Monica Sabou have retired. "I took a relatively long break after Worlds. On the 2nd of June I went back to Deva after I signed a paper saying I can only be one kilo over my optimum weight, that my preparation level is at least at the level of the lowest ranked gymnasts of the national team and that I solved all my health problems. That was the term of the condition, plus we had to do everything at our own risk," says Loredana. "I retired because I realized I couldn't catch up with the other girls." "That was the same for me too," added Carmen Ionescu. "After the operation on my right knee, I started to gain weight. I too went back to Deva but after 2 weeks I told the trainers that I was going to retire. Maybe it was better this way." Loredana is 18 years old and will continue at the high school in Deva. Carmen is only 16 years old. "I will enroll in a sports high school. After that, I would like to go to the Sports University. I hope I'll succeed," she said. Q: Loredana, why did you retire from gymnastics? A: I felt that I couldn't keep up. And, Mr. Belu told me that there was a possibility that I could work a year in vain in the sense that other girls could take my place. He told me that I had to be realistic. Q: One hears that life for the girls in Deva isn't that hard anymore. A: That's true. After the press made some revelations, the coaches became more gentle. I left my teammates getting chocolate as desert for lunch. Q: It's a step forward... A: Yes. We weren't shouted at anymore or anything else. They said something like 'Do what you feel like doing' and we were free on Thursday and Sunday. Q: Is it true that at a certain point you wanted to put a tape recorder in the gym that you wanted to give to the press afterwards? A: I don't know anymore. But I can tell you we planned to do a lot of things but we never went through with any of them. Q: Is it true that you stole butter and cake from the tables during the World Championships in Ghent? A: In gymnastics, if you are half a kilo overweight, in the air it transforms into 3 kilos. The trainers were stressed out with the idea that we had to look good in the competition hall. But when we saw the steaming croissants that smelled so good, what could we do? Q: Carmen, how many times did you cry in the 3 years that you spent in Deva? A: At first it was much more difficult. I was only 12 years old. In the long run, I got used to it. Q: You retired at the age of 16.... A: I know, but after my knee operation I started to gain weight. Q: What kind of operation was it? A: I had an overused tendon. It was swollen. I was operated on by doctor Filipescu from the Sfantul Ioan hospital. From this point of view, there are no problems anymore. Everything is ok. Q: How much did you weigh as a gymnast? A: 37, but now I'm about 45-46 kilos. Q: Did you go back to Deva too in the Spring? A: Yes. I took the tests and I passed. Only on bars it was a bit difficult for me. Q: And? A: It was too much to ask for the coaches to wait for me. I had too much recuperation to do. Q: How much money did you earn in gymnastics? A: I got the most money after winning the World title in Ghent. I think I have around 500 million lei ($16.000) in my bank account. |