FRG President Ioan Suciu speaks about the "Sabrina Voinea case" and the gymnasts' departures to the USA
Cristian Munteanu - 10 June 2026
Însă Ioan Suciu crede și speră că vor veni și zile mai luminoase pentru gimnastica feminină românească. „Rezultate recente ne arată că există perspective reale pentru viitorul gimnasticii artistice românești”, ne-a declarat șeful FRG într-un lung și constructiv interviu.
golazo.ro
Former world vice-champion Ioan Suciu, the current president of the Romanian Gymnastics Federation, did not have an easy start to his term at the head of the Romanian Gymnastics Federation.
The "Camelia Voinea Scandal", in which she verbally and physically abused her daughter, Sabrina, as well as several former students, the not-so-great initial results at international competitions, the problems with money for the Olympic medal process at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, all left their mark on his first year at the helm of the FRG.
But Ioan Suciu believes and hopes that brighter days are coming for Romanian women's gymnastics. "Recent results show us that there are real prospects for the future of Romanian artistic gymnastics," the head of the FRG said in an interview with GOLAZO.ro
He also referred to the problems created by Sabrina and Camelia Voinea, as well as the case of Ana Bărbosu, who missed meetings with anti-doping officers 3 times and now risks a suspension of up to 2 years.
Good afternoon, Mr. Suciu. We have so much to discuss.

Hello. Sure, with pleasure.
I would start with Amalia Ghigoarță and Lilia Cosman. They signed with the University of Nebraska. Starting from here, what do you think about our gymnasts leaving for the USA? Does it help or not the Romanian national team in the perspective of LA 2028?

The departure of athletes to universities in the United States, or any other country, must be seen first and foremost as an opportunity for the young person behind the athlete. They have access to education, very good training conditions, constant competitions, and an organized sports environment.
On the other hand, for the Romanian national team it is essential that this transition is managed very well. If there is communication, planning and availability from everyone, international experience, implicitly that from the USA, can help the national team. However, if the connection with the national program, with Romania's objectives and with the FIG international calendar is lost, then difficulties may arise.
From the perspective of LA 2028, the Federation's objective is to keep all valuable athletes connected to the national team, regardless of where they are training. Romania needs every gymnast, and our role is to maintain contact with all athletes who are going abroad, not to close doors.
Do you know if there are other athletes who want to leave? What do you think drives them to take this step?

It is natural for young athletes to consider such options, especially in an international context in which the Western university system, especially the American one, has become very attractive for all young people, not only for athletes.
They have the opportunity to combine sports with education, university scholarships, infrastructure, the security of an academic path and a very well-organized competitive environment. The Federation does not see these departures as a break, but as a reality of modern sports. We cannot and should not oppose them. We see it as a natural stage in their development.
The important thing is that the athletes remain eligible, available, and connected to Romania's objectives. From this point of view, the dialogue between the athlete, family, university, coaches and the Federation is essential.
We also come to the "Camelia Voinea case". Camelia did not take the news of the temporary suspension very well, claiming that "there are people who wanted to steal my work" and that "they want to snatch Sabrina away from me". Do you think there is someone who wants to "steal" Sabrina from her mother?

I don't think it's advisable to discuss such a sensitive case in such terms. It's not about "taking" someone from someone else, and I don't think an athlete of Sabrina's caliber should be turned into a subject of public dispute.
Under no circumstances can "child" Sabrina be taken from "mother" Camelia. As for the suspension of coach Camelia Voinea, as you know, it's a temporary measure. We shouldn't view it as a tragedy. I assure you that there are solutions so that Sabrina can continue training.
We shouldn't get angry. Whether we want to or not, we should distinguish between roles. That of parent and that of coach. And the parent must support their child regardless of the problems they may face at a given time. You shouldn't use them as a shield or a tool of blackmail.
Do you think that, if Ms. Voinea is suspended, Sabrina, one of Romania's most valuable gymnasts, will continue performing in competitive sports? Have you discussed this possibility with her?

We really want Sabrina to continue her performance in sport. She is an important gymnast for Romania and has a sporting potential that we believe we must encourage. At the same time, such discussions must be held with great delicacy.
It is not advisable for the Federation to exert pressure on an athlete, in one direction or another. The decision is personal. My opinion is that she will continue. If the situation requires it, the Federation will analyze all possible regulatory and sporting options, so that Sabrina can have continuity in training and competitions.
You stated, perhaps based on Mr. Covaliu's statements, who said that the FRG could have done more in the case of Ana Bărbosu, that "the Federation once again sent warnings and messages regarding the seriousness of the situation and the need to strictly comply with the obligations provided for by international anti-doping regulations." What specifically did these warnings consist of?

As I have already stated, the Romanian Gymnastics Federation did not intervene only when the case became public. There were communication efforts since the first whereabouts filing.
I do not want to conduct a trial of guilt or innocence. Or to come up with additional explanations to argue my statements, because this is not what is important now. But I would not have wanted public opinion to perceive that the FRG was indifferent or passive. It is a situation that we regret and it is a lesson for everyone. Our priority remains that the situation be clarified correctly and within the procedural framework.
The dispute pending before the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, for the Olympic bronze medal from the Paris 2024 Games, involves significant costs, estimated at approximately CHF 250,000. This amount represents a tentative estimate by lawyers, based on the elements available at this time, the final value being influenced by the evolution of the procedure and the complexity of the legal proceedings.