Romanian Gymnast Andreea Raducan in Lausanne to meet the IOC President
Romanian Gymnast Andreea Raducan paid a visit to IOC President Thomas Bach today. Raducan won a team Gold Medal with the Romanian team and Silver Medal in the Vault competition at the Olympic Games Sydney 2000.
However she was disqualified after winning the all-round title after failing a drugs test, although it was apparent, that she unknowingly took the substance on the advice of her team doctor.
Due to these circumstances Andreea has for many years hoped to be re-instated as the Gold Medal winner. She approached IOC President Thomas Bach during a visit to Bucharest last year and wanted to discuss this request with him. He then invited her to come for a meeting at the IOC headquarters in Lausanne.
After the meeting President Bach said: “This decision was very tough for Andreea and was not easily taken by the IOC at the time. It shows how strict our Anti-Doping rules are by having to apply the principle of strict liability of the athlete. On the other hand I feel a great deal of sympathy for her because she has to suffer from a mistake by her team-doctor. Even more so because this happened at the age of 16, when as an athlete you have absolute confidence in your medical team.”
The fact that she was not disqualified from the Games, but could keep her Gold Medal in the team event and go on to win a Silver Medal after the incident shows that the IOC attached no blame to her.
President Bach thanked her for her work for sport in her country, where she is considered a great role model. He encouraged her to engage and motivate young people to play sports.
Speaking after the visit today Andreea Raducan said, “It was great speaking as one Olympic Champion to another. I know that the President understands my disappointment. As a gymnast you only usually get one Games to show the world what you can do.”