The Athlete of the Week – Long-jump Athlete Florentina Marincu

Romania last week secured its comeback among Europes elite countries in terms of athletics.

Ștefan Baciu, 10.03.2015, 23:59

Romania last week secured its comeback among Europe’s elite countries in terms of athletics. Following a four-year gap, Romanian athletes stepped onto the podium in the European Indoor Athletics Championships in Prague. The Romanian delegation walked home with two medals, both bronze. Winners of those medals for Romania were long-jump athlete Florentina Marincu and veteran triple jump athlete Marian Oprea.

Florentina’s 6 meters and 79 centimeters jump also meant a new European juniors’ record. For her excellent performance Radio Romania International has designated Florentina Marincu the Athlete of the Week.

Florentina Marincu was born on April 8, 1996. She was spotted by coach Nicolae Alexe of the Cetate Deva School Sports Club. She began her career proving her mettle in the high-and long-jump. In 2013, the Romanian athlete became World Champion in Donetsk, in the Junior 2 category’s long and triple jump events.

In Prague, Florentina Marincu succeeded her first great performance in seniors’ competitions. In descending order, she was overpowered by Serbia’s Ivana Spanovici, who succeeded a jump of 6 metes and 98 centimeters, also setting a new national record for her country, and by Germany’s Taroum Moguenara, with a jump of 6 meters 83 centimeters, which was also the season’s best result.

Florentina’s teammate Alina Rotaru came in fourth in Prague, with a jump of 6 meters 69 centimeters. Because of their satisfactory performance in Prague, Florentina Marincu and Alina Rotaru stand real chances to successfully represent Romania in next years’ Olympic Games in Rio.