Legendary coaches Octavian Bellu and Mariana Bitang have returned to coach the Romanian National Team for the 2016 Rio Test Event. The Ministry of Youth and Sports posted the following announcement on Facebook:

[facebook url="https://www.facebook.com/MinisterulTineretuluisiSportului/posts/510188465829556:0"]

“Following discussions with both the Romanian Gymnastics Federation and with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, coaches Mariana Bitang and Octavian Belu, with a record aggregate consisting of over 400 medals, decided to return to lead national gymnastics supporting such athletes preparing to re-tournament organized by the International Gymnastics Federation in April of 2016.

Coaches Octavian Bellu and Mariana Bitang decided to suspend cooperation with the Romanian Gymnastics Federation in April of 2014 in the context of extremely serious family problems.”

This decision comes following the 2015 World Championships where Romania finished 13th overall, failing to qualify a team to the 2016 Olympics. Romania has advanced to the Rio Test event where they must place in the top four to secure a berth at the Olympics. Traditionally a powerhouse in women's gymnastics, this recent performance was their worst in program history.

Bellu and Bitang are two of the most successful gymnastics coaches in history and have lead gymnasts to 16 Olympic gold medals and a total of 279 medals at the European Championships, World Championships, and Olympic Games. Their Olympic medals include the team golds in 2000 and 2004. They have coached gymnastics greats including Andreea Raducan, Simona Amanar, Catalina Ponor, Sandra Izbasa, and current Romanian leader Larisa Iordache.

The pair has retired from and returned to coaching the Romanian National Team multiple times since 2005, the latest being in April of 2014 when they resigned from the Romanian Olympic Committee.


Related:
Romania Off to Disastrous Start at 2015 World Championships 
Octavian Bellu and Mariana Bitang Resign from Romanian National Team (2014)