London 2012: The Countdown Series: Romania

94 days to go until the first day of the London Olympics. Up next on the parade of nations: Romania (ROU).



Romania has participated in the summer Olympics since 1896. A total of 292 medals have been won by Romanian athletes in the summer games, including 86 gold medals.

Perhaps the most decorated Romanian athlete in the summer games has happen to be gymnast Nadia Comaneci. Comaneci (pictured) will be best remembered for her performances at Montreal 1976 and Moscow 1980, where she scored perfect tens on some of the events. At Montreal, she won gold in the individual all-around, uneven bars and balance beam, and at Moscow, she won gold in the balance beam and floor exercise events. After those games, she retired. For over the last decade, she has been married to American gymnast Bart Conner.

Comaneci isn't the only Romanian athlete to score five medals in the summer games. Elisabeta Oeniuc Lipa won five gold medals at five summer games. At Los Angeles 84, the rower won the double sculls. She won the single sculls at Barcelona 1992, and won three times in the coxed eights-at Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004. Another rower, Georgeta Damian Andrunache won three times in the coxless pairs at Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008, and twice in the coxed eights at Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004.

Four Romanians have won four gold medals each in the summer games. Gymnast Ecaterina Szabo (pictured) won four gold medals at Los Angeles 1984-in the womens team all-around, floor exercise, horse vault and balance beam. Canoeist Ivan Patzaichin won the 1000m Canadian singles at Munich 1972, and in the 1000m Canadian Doubles at Mexico City 1968, Moscow 1980 and Los Angeles 1984.

Two rowers also won four gold medals each. Doina Ignat won three in the coxed eights at Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004, and in the coxless pairs at Sydney 2000. Viorica Susanu won two in the coxed eights at Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004, and in the coxless pairs at Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004.

Gymnast Simona Amanar, who had triumphant performances at Atlanta 1996, is among six Romanians to win three gold medals each.

• Daniela Silivas (gymnastics)
• Simona Amanar (gymnastics)
• Liliana Gafencu (rowing)
• Elena Georgescu (rowing)
• Constanta Pipota Burcica (rowing)
• Catalina Ponor (gymnastics)

Thirteen Romanians have won two gold medals in the summer games:

• Leon Rotman (canoeing)
• Iolanda Balas (athletics)
• Toma Simionov (canoeing)
• Simona Pavca (gymnastics)
• Rodica Arba Puscatu (rowing)
• Olga Homeghi Bularda (rowing)
• Marioara Popescu Ciobanu (rowing)
• Lavinia Milosovici (gymnastics)
• Veronica Cogeanu Cochelea (rowing)
• Ioana Olteanu (rowing)
• Diana Mocanu (swimming)
• Angela Tamas Alupei (rowing)
• Monica Rosu (gymnastics)

As of now, 80 Romanians are headed to London to compete in eleven events, including athletics, swimming, boxing, weightlifting, and cycling. The men's water polo team has also qualified for the London games as well.

Up next: Russia