Fortunately, everyone did return. Some of them today are no longer in Romania and have careers in sports. And I’m very proud of them for what they did and how we were able to launch some of these careers. But I think, without exception, everyone that I remained in touch with and was able to speak with considered their participation in 1984 a highlight of their life.
Their participation was particularly a highlight because of the odds against which the successes happened.
By the way, the absence of the East Germans, the Russians, and a number of other highly athletic countries allowed the Romanians to be the second-highest-medaling team at these Olympics.
So, for many reasons, this was indeed a very important part of their lives and remained so in the end.
Bill
The Olympics really put Romania on the map, at least in the United States. It’s like, what is this country? Who are these people?
Agnes
Very true. And when the Chinese Olympics occurred, the memory of Romania’s achievement was reactivated. There was the whole recall of this brave little communist country that came to the 1984 Olympics and did what it needed to do to demonstrate its talent. Their remarkable accomplishment came back into the news again. So, they have a lot to be proud of. And I’m glad to have facilitated it.
