“It's a tough sport, broken palms, tears, sacrifices, but I took it on”

The problems in Romanian gymnastics deepened today, after they appeared some footage from a few years ago in which the trainer Camelia Voinea verbally abuses Sabrina, her daughter, in the gym.

“Go to hell” and “What if you're stupid?” are some of the lines that the former gymnast has for her student. All this while Sabrina cries and begs her mother to make another item.

Sabrina Voinea: “It's sad that people in gymnastics reveal images from 10 years ago and try to divide us”

In this context, a video appeared on Camelia Voinea's Facebook page in which Sabrina gives her point of view, denying that she was coerced or abused. Dressed in a tracksuit, standing cross-legged in front of a cabinet with the medals and cups won in gymnastics, Sabrina Voinea reads the following message from her phone:

Hello! I am very sad when I see untrue things about me and my mother appear in the world of gymnastics and that the media goes along with them without asking us anything or asking our opinion first. Nobody forced me to do anything. I was never coerced or abused.

Here behind me are the results and medals that were obtained with “go back and do it again”. Results that I am very proud of as a gymnast and I could not have achieved them without sacrifices. Yes, it's a tough sport, broken palms, tears, sacrifices, but I took it on.

I'm proud of what I've achieved and you can't reach the world or Olympic podium without sacrifices. I would have preferred to stand aside and not answer. But I want to do it to clarify some things and not to give the whole world the impression that I am a victim.

Yes, it's hard to be a gymnast. It's a tough sport that requires sacrifice and you can't do it without pain, without fighting your limits and without being hard. Yes, it is what I have undertaken to do, and I say it now as an adult and in control of my actions. It is my choice to do this sport, however hard and difficult it is. It's sad that people in gymnastics are bringing out pictures from 10 years ago and trying to divide us. They will not succeed.

I know my worth, I know my ambition and I don't regret any of the sacrifices made so far. I only ask for peace and to be left alone, to be able to prepare and represent Romania as best we can. I have performed at the highest level and my mother is the only one who knows the way and has the training and knowledge to reach and keep me among the best gymnasts on the planet.

I appeal to the press and the scandal televisions sent to order to denigrate our images, to stop this topic, so that we can see each other training in peace. Thank you!

– Sabrina Voinea

Camelia Voinea: “FRG officials from the old leadership constantly threatened and blackmailed me with these images”

Also, Camelia Voinea accompanied the video with a description in which she states her point of view, states that she has been blackmailed with these images in the past and threatens to defend her image in court.

I read with bitterness the articles in the press that took over some images from 10 years ago. It is clear that it is about a coordinated campaign against us and that can only harm Romanian sport, our gymnastics.

It should be known that these images were presented to the leadership of the federation 2 years ago, so it is nothing new, and FRG officials from the old leadership constantly threatened and blackmailed me with these images.

Of course, like any parent and coach, and I have the strength to admit this, I also regret raising my voice, because maybe I have moments of anger, nerves or severity. But what coach doesn't? This is the job and to get there there are still difficult and tense moments.

I don't think there is any great champion who would say that she had only milk and honey in her career. But from here to absurd accusations such as beatings or that I abuse my sports shoes, it is a long way and here I will reserve the right to appear in court for such lies and denigrations.

Gymnastics is an endurance sport, involving hundreds of hours of training, thousands of repetitions and, last but not least, privations accepted and assumed. All for a dream. I, as a world champion, European, world and Olympic vice-champion, have already lived this dream, tasted the cup of success, lived the elixir of glory!

I don't live through Sabrina; she is not fulfilling my expectations but is seeking to fulfill her own dream in turn. With the same work, dedication and sacrifices assumed.

Anyone who has passed through a training room, on the road to high performance, knows that there are moments when you can give in emotionally. But these moments do not shake the communion between a mother and her daughter, but strengthen it.

I will not continue to respond to such challenges. Those who seek to destroy our performances will be disappointed. We do not give in, we remain united and we will work the same as before, together with all those who support us and whom we thank for being with us. To the others, I hope we can only answer them through the joy that Sabrina will bring to Romanians, climbing the world and Olympic podiums in the future

– Camelia Voinea's announcement

Camelia and Sabrina Voinea in 2025 // photo: Imago Images