Olympic Legends
Rower Georgeta Damian Andrunache
Florin Orban, 27.03.2024, 13:45
Until the Olympic Games in Paris, which are expected to kick off on July 26th, Radio Romania International will be presenting to you in a monthly programme several Olympic legends from Romania. Today’s edition has been devoted to rower Georgeta Damian Andrunache, an athlete whose prize closet contains no less than five Olympic gold medals. In 2002 at her first presence at our microphone, she had already won two gold medals in Sydney, two years before, in the coxless pairs together with Doina Ignat and with the Romanian eight. In 2002, Georgeta Andrunache and Viorica Susanu won the year’s single world title in women’s Olympics events and were designated Athletes of the Year by the Ministry of Youth and Sports in Bucharest. Let’s listen to fragments from an interview she gave in December 2002.
Georgeta Andrunache: “I was born in Botoșani in 1976. I took up rowing at the local Sports Club under the guidance of coach Iacob Elena. I competed for Botoșani until 1996 and in 1996 I signed up with Dinamo Bucharest. I actually didn’t hope, didn’t believe I was going to run in rowing contests as my parents didn’t agree with this sport discipline due to an unhappy event in the family. My mom’s brother drowned and after his death they decided to keep us away from water. However, after a couple of days of pleading and cajoling from my part, mom eventually gave up and allowed me to go to the club and carry on my training. I believe that kind of motivated me, as I wanted to prove my mom and my parents that I am not training for nothing and that nothing bad can happen to me on water. I obtained my first good result in 1991, at my first participation in an Under Twenty-one World Championship. I competed only in two events, in the coxless four and with our eight. In 1992 I ran only in the coxless fours, because of budget constraints, you know. Only four girls went to that competition in Montreal, Canada. In 1993 in Norway, also at the Under Twenty-one World Championship, I got two silver medals in the coxless pair and with our eight. In the same competition the following year I got silver and gold.”
Georgeta made her debut in top competitions in 1997at Aiguebellette, France, where she reaped silver in the coxless pairs together with Veronica Cochelea and gold with the Romanian eight. The success she obtained together with Doina Ignat in the coxless pairs in Sydney was a surprise at the time. After Doina withdrew from competitions, Georgeta has confirmed her value together with Viorica Susanu.
Georgeta Andrunache: ”I’ve also run with other colleagues in this event, for many years, you know. The coxless pairs is a difficult event as you rely more on techniques, skills than on strength, and for me Viorica was the most difficult partner, but with whom I obtained the biggest successes.”
Things were a little bit different for Viorica Susanu though
Viorica Susanu: ”I would say that from my point of view, it wasn’t that difficult. It was difficult for Georgeta, because her other partners happened to be shorter and when the two are equally tall, it’s easier. Because I was taller and had a different rowing style, it was a little bit difficult though. But we adjusted to each other and eventually made it work. I very much relied on her Olympic expertise so to say and I trusted her because she had already won an Olympic gold medal and we managed to solve the height difference and all.”
We asked Georgeta Damian – Andrunache about the main element that leads to cohesion in a team
Georgeta Andrunache: ”I might say it’s all about understanding. You cannot have two, eight or six persons of equal value, you know, but if you strive to give your best, help your colleagues and your team to get a better time, to make it to the finish line in the right time, I believe all comes down to that.”
After this interview, Georgeta continued the series of best performances. Together with Viorica she won the Olympic title in Athens in 2004 and she was also part of the Romanian eight that became champion in Athens. In 2008, at the Beijing Olympics Geta and Viorica reaped gold in the coxless pairs and bronze with the Romanian coxed eight. After withdrawal from competition, both Georgeta Andruanche and Viorica Susanu have continued their careers in the managing board of Dinamo Bucharest sports club.
(bill)
