Coaches suspended for life after beating Simona Halep's granddaughter. Another 6 terrorized gymnasts
Life suspension from activity for the coach who verbally assaulted Simona Halep's granddaughter, but also on six other athletes from the national rhythmic gymnastics group.
Cristina, the niece of Simona Halep, was physically and verbally assaulted by the coach
At the beginning of 2025, several gymnasiums in the national team accused Maria Gîbea, one of the best rhythmic gymnastics of Romania, of repeated physical and emotional abuse. The statements were exhibited in the online environment through a video published by the Association for the Defense of Sports Rights (Arads).
The Romanian Olympic and Sports Committee intervened and opened an investigation, after which it was decided to suspend Maria Gîrbea.
“Mrs. Gîrbea was suspended from the Olympic group, it is true. There were enough complaints to her and I made this decision. We need more transparency, and those there, from the federation, have to make order. Now we have complaints to the athletes who have, in turn, made accusations!”said Cristinel Romanescu, chairman of the Ethics Commission of the COSR, according to Golazo.
Seven gymnasts, victims of physical abuse
These are Denisa Mailat, Ana Luiza Filiorianu, Alexandra Duman, Christina Drăgan, Alexandra Piscupescu, Raluca Zetu, but also Cristina Halep, who have repeatedly beaten and offended in the training.
“Somehow, it was subtle, not to see anyone doing us. He told us” You are stupid, he tightens his knees, you can't do that. ” I also witnessed a beating with the stick in the head, in which Mrs. Maria gave Luiza in the head! ”confessed Denisa Mailat, according to Golazo.ro.
In May of this year, the granddaughter of Simona Halep, only 16 years old, was physically assaulted by Maria Gîrbea, during a training session. The young woman was verbally offended in the first instance, to be hit with the palm and drawn in an extremely aggressive way.
“There are gross twists!”
Irina Deleanu, the president of the Romanian Federation of Rhythmic Gymnastics, was also accused of an inappropriate behavior against some of the Romanian gymnasts. The accusations would have come from the father of two athletes, who addressed a letter to COSR and ANS, talking about countless acts of abuse, according to prosport.ro.
The President FDGR denied all the charges. “I have never used those words! I am the mother of two children, my gymnasts are dear, I would never do this. There are grossly, now I was looking for proof in the archives. I will find it and I will publish it!”said Irina Deleanu, for the quoted source, the president of the federation “on the wave” after the historical medal obtained by Amalia Lică: silver at the World Championships in Rio de Janeiro.
