Maricica PUICA

Maricica Puică was considered one of the greatest female middle-distance runners of the 1980s. She made her international début at the 1976 Olympics, where she was eliminated in the 1500 heats. After finishing seventh in the 1500 m at the 1980 Olympics, her career highlight came in 1984, when she won 3000 m gold and 1500 m bronze at the Los Angeles Olympics. Puică also competed at the 1988 Olympics, but abandoned her 3K heat due to injury. She won 3000 silver at the 1987 World Championships, after missing the inaugural 1983 Worlds due to injury. She also won 3000 m silvers at the 1982 and 1986 European Championships. She won 3000 m silver at the 1982 World Cup, 3000 m silver and bronze at the 1982 and 1989 European Indoor Championships, respectively, and 3000 m bronze at the 1987 World Indoor Championships. At the International Cross-Country Championships, Puică won individual titles in 1982 and 1984, individual bronze in 1978, and helped Romania win the 1978 team title.

Puică set three world records during her career, recording 4:17.44 for the mile in September 1982, 5:35.5 at 2000 metres in May 1979 and bettering that with 5:28.69 in July 1986. Domestically she won Romanian titles in the 1500 m in 1982; 3000 m in 1977, 1980-82, and 1984-85; 10K in 1987; and cross-country in 1978-79 and 1982-84. After finishing her sporting career, Puică worked as an athletics coach in Spain with her husband Ion Puică.

Personal Bests: 1500 – 3:57.22 (1984); 3000 – 8:27.83 (1985).