No Olympic AA For Nistor; or Romanian Gymnastics In Crisis

This article was wholly depressing to read. It's driving home the fact that for the first time in God only knows how long, we may not see Romania on the team medal podium in Beijing. This, after they've won two consecutive Olympic team golds.

With the seemingly permanent retirement of Catalina Ponor last year, Romania's women's gymnastics team is barely holding on. One of their stars, Steliana Nistor (yes, of the famed ugly DTY), has this to say:

"I can successfully compete on only three apparatus," said Nistor. "This lowers my chances to win more money. But I hope for some medals on the floor and balance beam."

No, she cannot compete on vault.

Sandra Izbasa, who will put on a brave smile for the camera through tears of pain after injuring herself on a beam dismount, is the other leader of the team. I have no idea about her AA abilities or if she's a specialist. Either way, that still leaves four spots if Romania wants to successfully contend for a medal.

One of the screwed-up things in that article is that more money is spent on track-and-field and rowing than gymnastics in Romania. Really? Are those sports really that popular in Romania? Are there standout rowers in Romania? Is there a track-and-fielder that everybody in the world, even those who aren't track-and-field fans, know by name and why they're so famous? I highly doubt Comaneci's inspiration powers have subsided, it's the fact that it seems that things are just falling apart and all attempts to piece it back together are futile.