Maria Olaru

Maria Olaru was born on June 4th, in Falticeni, Romania. She began gymnastics at the age of 7, at Deva Gymnastics club. Olaru's first big break in gymnastics was at the 1996 Junior European Championships, where she placed 1st for vault. At the Junior Olympics in Lisbon, 1997, she placed 1st on Floor, 2nd on Vault and 3rd on Vault. At the International Junior Championships she placed 1st on Floor and AA.

Related Topics:
June 4th - Falticeni - Romania - Gymnastics - Deva Gymnastics - 1996 - Junior European Championship - Junior Olympics - Lisbon - 1997 - International Junior Championships

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In 1998 at the European Championship, Olaru placed 1st with her Team, and 2nd on Vault.

Related Topics:
1998 - European Championship

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In 1999 Olaru became only the 2nd Romanian woman ever to win the World AA title.

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At the famous Sydney Olympics in 2000, Olaru came 2nd in the AA, and 1st in the Team competition.

Related Topics:
Sydney Olympics - 2000

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Olaru retired shortly after the Sydney Olympics, as she thought the new revised Code of Points was not made for tall gymnasts such as herself. She was coached by Octavian Belu, stands 5 feet 3 inches tall, and has two sisters and a cat. Her father died when she was 3, and her best apparatus was vault.

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