Moldova Takes Home 4 Medals (and contests another)
In this year’s Olympic games Moldova took home 4 medals putting the country in 72nd place overall of 206 countries. The medals were as follows:
Anastasia Nichita - Silver for Freestyle Wrestling
Serghei Tarnovschi - Bronze for Canoeing
Denis Vieru - Bronze for Judo
Adil Osmanov - Bronze for Judo
Additionally, weightlifter Marin Robu took 4th place in his competition but the Moldovan Weightlifting Federation is appealing the contest saying that judges failed to account for a competitor’s incorrect lift. They hold that Robu should have taken Bronze.
The First Silver in 24 Years
By far the biggest story for Moldova was Anastasia Nichita’s Silver medal. Nichita took second after Tsugumi Sakurai of Japan in Women’s Freestyle Wrestling up to 57 kg. President Sandu congratulated her on her medal stating:
"Anastasia Nichita has written her name into the history of sports in our country, becoming the first Moldovan woman to win Olympic silver. Thank you, Anastasia! You have come a long and difficult way. You are an example for all of us, especially for children and young people. Truly great achievements require great efforts. The whole country is waiting for you at home,"
Previously 3 male Moldovan athletes have won silver medals since independence, 2 in 1996 and 1 in 2000.
Anastasia dedicated her win to her brother saying:
"First of all, I want to dedicate this medal to my brother, who brought me into sports. Unfortunately, he is no longer alive, but I am sure that he is happy for me from up there. And, of course, I want to dedicate this medal to everyone who was involved in my training process. This is not only my medal, this is a medal for the entire country,"
Adil Osmanov Suffers Freak Injury While Celebrating
Following the announcement of his score Adil Osmanov jumped up and down and waved his arms in jubilation at his winning bronze. In a freak accident his rapid shoulder motion actually dislocated his shoulder in the process.
Osmanov’s accident went viral with people watching the olympics, both for how unusual the accident was and the sincerity of his celebration. He has since told the press that he expects a quick recovery.
Athletes Return Home
Following the closing ceremony, where Silver Medalist Anastasia Nichita and Bronze Medalist Serghei Tarnovschi carried the Moldovan flag, the team returned home to a hero’s greeting. They were met at the airport by President Sandu as well as friends, relatives and the press. The boarder police brass band played for their arrival.
As per the government’s pre-olympic decision, Nichita will be awarded 2.6 million lei in prize money (~$150,000) for her silver medal, while Tarnovschi, Vieru, and Osmanov will take home 2 million lei (~$115,000) for their bronzes.
Anastasia Nichita and her coach / fiancé gave interviews after the games calling on the Moldovan government to pass a law on sports sponsorship that would clarify these prizes, as well as those for other competitions. She noted that following the Tokyo games she was offered a place on the Italian team, which has a law clearly outlining benefits for athletes. Nichita chose to continue competing on the Moldovan team but expressed hope that the government would address this lack of clarity around prizes and benefits in the future.
Next Up - Paris Paralympic Games
President Sandu presented Moldova’s Paralympic Team with a Moldovan flag to carry at the upcoming games in Paris. Moldova has 5 Paralympic athletes competing in 3 sports in the games. During the presentation, Minister of Education Dan Pierciun addressed the athletes saying:
“It is not easy to overcome your own limits, but you have shown that nothing is impossible if you have the will and passion. When you compete in Paris, remember that you are not alone: the whole country will be behind you, millions of hearts will beat with yours. Every moment of struggle and every victory will be a source of inspiration for all of us,”
outstanding performance by athletes and amazing support from government