Golgotha Files Abuse Complaint with FRG

[Amber]

I think because Ponor has been a very vocal supporter of the Voineas

There was also the extraordinary incident at 2023 Worlds where FIG had to remove Ponor from PT (even though she was there as athlete rep) for bullying Barbosu - I think Kiens complained about Ponor's aggressive behaviour towards Barbosu. It seems to be part of attempts by the old guard to support the Voineas' methods as superior. Ponor, Silivas and IIRC a journalist called Alexoi have all been involved in attacking (non-Sabrina) Romanian gymnasts in the media.

Thank you!

 

[Angelika]

I always had the impression that Ponor was an angry, hostile, aggressive person.

But I never had Silivas as being like that

 

[KristyJ]

I hope that Denisa's complaint accomplishes something. They've been able to run roughshod over Romanian gymnastics for a half dozen years now and it's ridiculous that this has been allowed to go on.
I will say most people involved grew up in a time when perhaps bullying wasn't so frowned on, so perhaps there is an education component for some, even up to Ponor. But there is no excuse for the physical violence or threats thereof.

 

[MaryClare]

But I never had Silivas as being like that

Considering she lives and coaches in all this, she is weirdly involved and invested in it all

 

[ArnoldRimmer]

If even half of this is true, one wonders how Camelia in particular hasn't been on the receiving end of a few slaps herself. Maybe she has.

 

[KristyJ]

My guess is she almost assuredly has, sadly

 

[IratePanda]

I'm disappointed but not surprised that Silivas has voiced support for the Voineas. She and Mama C were teammates for years. Who knows what kind of a bond they forged over bad haircuts and abusive coaching.

I'd be more upset if Ecaterina Szabo took the Voineas' side. I recall reading or watching an interview that suggested she had a gentler approach to coaching. In fact, she said she couldn't best to be strict with young children. That might be a direct result of her own experiences. Her parents supposedly dumped her at the Karolyis' feet when she was six or seven.

 

[KorbutFan]

I’ve noticed on IG Silivas is weirdly defensive about her age falsification.

Also I find Ponor’s support funny considering she was one of the gymnasts (many moons ago) who were caught sneaking out of Deva at night.

 

[ArnoldRimmer]

While I've not seen what Silivas said, honestly I don't think it's weird to be defensive about that at all. For anyone it happened to. None of the gymnasts who had their ages falsified chose it, they were all children in repressive regimes. It might bring back all kinds of unpleasant memories, especially as at least some of them also emerged from systems known to abuse athletes.

Even if it doesn't, all of them except maybe the North Koreans must know that others have had medals stripped. The rules don't allow for Silivas to lose hers now, and I don't expect that to change personally, but nobody has any guarantees. It also clearly means many people will think they weren't legitimate winners of whatever medals they won underage, and a few will blame them for not speaking out. That's obviously idiotic but it happens.

And for those who've since emigrated, it raises the possibility of which DOB they used. Maybe they worry it's going to cause them problems if they used the government issued one with the younger DOB on it.

 

[Puffin]

I’ve noticed on IG Silivas is weirdly defensive about her age falsification.

Also I find Ponor’s support funny considering she was one of the gymnasts (many moons ago) who were caught sneaking out of Deva at night.

I guess Silivas doesn't really want to open that can of worms and risk FIG stripping her European, World and World Cup medals as she wasn't age eligible until 1987.

 

[phoenix7]

Silivas has said she had no choice about the age falsification, she obeyed orders, and she enjoyed performing more when she was 13 than when she was older. I don't see a problem with that.

As to the Voineas, this behaviour sounds bad, but I don't have much appetite for the x liked y on Facebook so they are all part of the same cabale approach. There's a big difference between beating up junior gymnasts, threatening to punch teammates in the mouth, and being unkind or rude to the rest of the team online.

I hope the FRG or a more suitable body if necessary investigatea these allegations and acts on the findings, but the press is clearing just loving the drama. Hope they can all sober up a bit, fast.

 

[phoenix7]

Considering she lives and coaches in all this, she is weirdly involved and invested in it all

Lives and coaches in the US you mean?

 

[MaryClare]

Lives and coaches in the US you mean?

Yes apologies must have been auto correct