Most successful women coach-world record set
by Maria Bitang
[April
18] BUCHAREST, Romania--Maria Bitang, 46, Romanian
gymnastics coach (1992-2005), has set the world record for
the Most Successful Women Coach: 19 Olympics Medals
and a total of 152 medals at World and European Championships
and Olympic Games.
They say behind every successful man, there is
a woman. Octavian
Bellu has coached the Romanian national squad since
1981. Maria Bitang joined him in early 90's. Along with the
team they have obtained more than 250 international medals.
The outstanding results Maria Bitang and Octavian Belu
achieved made them the world's most successful coaching duo.
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photo)
A
popular saying around the community of Romanian gymnastics
fans (one of the largest being in the USA) is that the Romanian
Anthem was played so many times at competitions that "The
American women's gymnastics team knows all the words by now".
Their success's secret? Maria Bitang: "We have
no magic wand here. It's just hard work. You can't win Gold
unless you make some sacrifices. I wish I have spend more
time with son...and I never have had a real holidays."
Octavian Bellu stated that he "doesn't
see him working with anyone else than Mariana Bitang"
Maria
Bitang is currently counselor
for sports to the Romanian President Traian Basescu.
Maria Bitang is also the president of Champions
House Foundation.
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photo)
The Foundation Champions House was founded by
Romania's world-famous champions like Comaneci, Ilie Nastase
(tennis), Iolanda Balas (high-jump), Ivan Patzaichin (flatwater
canoer) and Elisabeta Lipa (rower)
Maria Bitang received many awards, was decorated
few times by Romanian Presidents and received the highest
honors from the Romanian Olympic Committee and International
Gymnastics Federation. Photo: Mrs. Laura Bush and Mrs. Maria
Basescu, second from left, spouse of Romania's President Traian
Basescu, are joined for a photo opportunity with luncheon
guests Wednesday, April 2, 2008, at the presidential seaside
retreat in Neptun, Romania. Joining them- at right: Maria
Bitang, former Romanian Olympic Gymnastics Coach and State
Advisor. White House photo by Shealah Craighead(enlarge
photo)
From 1958 when Romania won the first medal
in gymnastics till today, the Romanian Gymnastics Federation
brought Romania more than 300 medals, 260 won by female gymnasts
and 70 by male ones, medals that rewarded the value, the work
but also the tradition the Romanian gymnastics School has
created, and at the same time, brought a huge joy to all Romanians.