Catalina Ponor posted on her Instagram with the announcement that she has been named the flag bearer for Romania in Rio.



The Romanian Gymnastics Federation noted that Ponor is more advanced in terms of preparation compared to Larisa Iordache and an official from the Federation said that Iordache will compete “only if an unfortunate accident happens to Catalina and can not compete,” according to NBC Sports.

While Ponor did not compete all-around at Nationals, she took the beam and floor titles. Iordache won the all-around but was not quite in top form after a fall in training leading up to the meet. Both Ponor and Iordache have been training hard and recovering from injuries in order to be selected as Romania's individual competitor. Iordache will still travel to Rio as the alternate.

Ponor's selection as the flag bearer is a first in the history of Romanian Olympics, as this is the first time a representative of gymnastics will do so.


Below is the translation of the Federation's announcement via Google Translate:

"The presence at the Olympic Games requires compliance from COSR and National Federations, strict rules on time limits for participation and participants, the delegation structure, the positions of each member, including as flag bearer. As a result, in the last meeting of the Executive Committee of COSR end it was the bearer Flag of the Romanian delegation to the gymnast Catalina Ponor, a mission very honorable for each athlete. After testing the previous period, developments in National Championships it was observed that the gymnast Catalina Ponor is more advanced in terms of preparation compared to Larisa Iordache, which is why the Romanian Gymnastics Federation agreed with the decision, ruling discussed and accepted by the two gymnasts. However, to avoid any unforeseen situation, it was decided also as Larisa Iordache to make the trip to Rio, along with a coach, the forum Olympic integrated support this idea. As regards the appointment of the second gymnast who will take part in the Olympic Games in Rio, along with Marian Dragulescu, recipient of a direct qualification obtained at the World Championships in Glasgow, it will, in all likelihood, Andrei Muntean, which in turn, at last check proved that it has the best potential. Designation Catalina Ponor as Flag bearer marks a first in the history of Romanian Olympics, marking the first time a representative of gymnastics is entrusted with this mission."


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